NEWTON, Mass.—Cambridge-based architect HMFH Architects has been tapped by the city of Newton to undertake a pre-feasibility study for updating Franklin Elementary School.  The school, which is in need of modernizing its campus, is being renovated as part of Newton’s 10-year plan to reimagine its overall educational infrastructure.

Franklin, built in 1938, was added to via two additions in the 1950s.  However, in the 21st century the city believes the school lacks sufficient functional space, both on the outside and interior. There is also no dedicated music room, and many of the entrances and exits are not ADA-compliant.

HMFH’s survey will encompass determining what physical space challenges exist currently at the school, and then to determine the best ways to update those areas. Accordingly, the firm will perform a facilities assessment, as well as determine how expanding the campus will allow it to blend effectively with the older architecture of the neighborhood while taking into account the sustainability needs of a modern educational project.

“HMFH is known for its excellence in educational planning, community process, and sustainable design. We are excited to be working with them to determine the best path forward for Franklin and its community,” said Alex Valcarce, deputy commissioner of the City of Newton Public Buildings Department. “The design of highly efficient and sustainable buildings is a priority for Newton, and the creation of wonderful facilities that promote 21^st century teaching and learning environments helps Newton advance our goals and objectives with regards to excellence in education and inclusion.”

This fall, HMFH and New Vista Design will commence collaborating with the neighborhoods around Franklin on potential renovation plans.

HMFH Architects is a certified Women-Owned Business, and has worked on the educational sector throughout the Bay State.

The post HMFH Architects Tabbed for Feasibility Study at Massachusetts Elementary School appeared first on School Construction News.

ARLINGTON, Mass.—Arlington High School, which has been educating students since 1915, will be able to meet its 21st century educational and arts goals thanks to the construction of its new Performing Arts and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics) wings, the components of Phase 1 of the Arlington High School project.

According to a release from the town of Arlington, the STEAM wing hosts chorus and band rooms, practice rooms, digital production lab and an 826-seat auditorium. In addition, the facility offers 16 classrooms, 17 science labs, five studios for visual arts, interdisciplinary makerspaces and a 120-seat “Discourse Lab.” For sustainability purposes, the wing also features four-story lightwells.

Designer HMFH Architects worked in conjunction with construction manager Consigli USA, as well as project manager Skanska USA, the American arm of the firm based in Sweden.

In a statement released by the town, AHS Principal Matthew Janger said that this project has been nearly a decade in the making.

“We are excited to take the next step to bringing the educational vision to life in this amazing space,” he said.

According to the town of Arlington, the facility aims to achieve, at minimum, LEED Gold status, but the planners are hoping for LEED Platinum.

Phase 2 of the work at Arlington High School will entail tearing down part of an existing building so that a new Humanities, District Administration & Preschool wing can be designed. That work will commence in the fall of 2023, with the facility anticipated to open thereafter sometime in 2024.

The post Boston-Area High School Finishes First Phase of Revamp appeared first on School Construction News.

WEYMOUTH, Mass.—School personnel, elected officials, community members and representatives of BOND Building Construction, Inc. gathered recently for a topping-out ceremony that celebrated completion of the structural steel frame for the new Maria Weston Chapman Middle School. People cheered as the last steel beam was lowered into place, with the gathered distanced and wearing masks to ensure safety protocols were observed.

But before the new school could be built, the former Maria Weston Chapman Middle School, which was built in 1961, had to be demolished on the same footprint from which would spring the new school. Everything at the site except for the gymnasium, which is being renovated, was razed. Furthermore, demolition and new construction had to take place in a busy neighborhood, so construction personnel and school officials had to work with the surrounding community to ensure that disruption was kept to a minimum. This meant implementing noise-mitigation procedures, dust control, vibration monitoring, as well as ensuring that vehicular traffic could be rerouted where necessary.

The new 252,170-square-foot, $164M Maria Weston Chapman Middle School was designed by HMFH Architects, Inc. It will be home to nearly 1,500 students in grades 6 through 8. Modern learning amenities included in the redesigned campus include three distinct academic wings that surround centrally located “exploratory labs.” One wing will host administrative offices, music classrooms, fitness area, auditorium and a centralized kitchen space. Furthermore, the wings will all branch out from what is being called the campus’s “Town Square,” where students will dine and be able to otherwise gather.

During the topping-out ceremony, Massachusetts state Rep. Ronald Mariano (D-Norfolk) said that the Chapman school will commence a new era for the district’s schoolchildren as well as for the community.

“The impact is five times what you expect it to be,” Mariano said.

Frank Hayes, president of BOND Building, said that among his firm’s missions is to ensure that innovative and modern learning spaces will be achieved in the new school.

“This cutting-edge learning facility will offer students top-of-the-line technology that will really elevate and enhance the learning experience,” said Hayes, “and we’re excited to be part of the team creating that vision.”

“We are at our best working closely with all stakeholders to develop comprehensive plans for safety, mitigation and efficiency,” added David Capaldo, director of public education for BOND Building. “We aim to be a good neighbor to the surrounding community.”

“Our architect HMFH Architects, our owner’s project manager Hill International, and our construction manager, BOND Building, will be on time and on budget,” added Jack McCarthy, executive director of the Massachusetts School Building Authority. “How do I know this? Because they’ve done this for us all over the Commonwealth.”

The new Chapman Middle School is expected to be completed in July 2022.

BOND Building, which is based in Medford, Massachusetts, has also worked on educational projects throughout New England, including at Boston University, Bryant University, Brown University, Providence College, Harvard University, MIT and Roger Williams University.

The post Massive Massachusetts Middle School Project Hits Midpoint appeared first on School Construction News.

WEYMOUTH, Mass.—BOND Building Construction, Inc. (BOND Building), a full-service construction management and general contracting firm, has broken ground on the new Maria Weston Chapman Middle School in Weymouth. This innovative project is set to be completed in July of 2022 and aims to usher students into a modern era of learning.

“Our students are top-notch across the board and they deserve the best we can deliver in technology, innovation, and modern approaches in education,” said Weymouth Mayor Robert L. Hedlund. “This is what the new Maria Chapman Middle School will be all about and our community can’t wait for it to be completed.”

Designed by HMFH Architects, the project includes the demolition of the existing Maria Weston Chapman Middle School, originally built in 1961, with the exception of the gymnasium which will be fully renovated. The total square footage of the new school is approximately 252,170 square feet with 31,290 square feet of the existing gymnasium and ancillary areas renovated to serve as the new school’s primary and alternative physical education spaces. These spaces include locker rooms, extensive gym storage, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy spaces, the kitchen, and main loading and receiving spaces.

An additional 220,880 square feet of entirely new construction will complete the new middle school. The two-story building will house students in grades 6-8 totaling 1,470 students with three academic wings located around a centrally shared space which doubles as a dining room. There is also an Administration / Auditorium Wing with areas for Music, Art, and a Makerspace.

“Our team is eager to begin work on this innovative new building,” said Frank Hayes, president of BOND Building Construction, Inc. “Schools are vital institutions in the community and we are grateful for the opportunity to create a state-of-the-art learning facility that will serve students, faculty, and the community for years to come.”

The demolition, new construction, and renovation will take place in close proximity to surrounding neighborhoods. BOND Building approaches projects with a laser focus on safety and minimizing disruption and has implemented a noise mitigation and dust control plan, a traffic management plan, and a community outreach and notification schedule. Hill International Inc. is serving as the Owner’s Project Manager working with BOND Building to form a seamless construction management team.

“We pride ourselves on working closely with all stakeholders to develop comprehensive plans for safety and transparent communications,” said Ken Johnson, vice president of education for BOND Building Construction, Inc. “We are excited to begin advancing toward our vision for this project and we are appreciative for the collaboration among the teams that will help us achieve it.”

The post Massachusetts Middle School Expansion Breaks Ground appeared first on School Construction News.