NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.—Construction management and planning firm Connolly Brothers has finished up renovation work at Brooks School, a private coeducational institution located 30 miles north of Boston. A major portion of the work entailed upgrading the athletic facilities at the 9-12 school.

Over the course of nearly a year of work, Connolly shepherded the Campus Athletic Center’s McVeigh Court throughout construction of a new varsity-length court. This entailed refinishing the court’s wood flooring, repainting the gymnasium and adding new graphics, as well as relocating the athletic center’s glass entryway.

In addition to its work at the fitness center, Connolly was also tapped to lead construction management for the school’s Wilder Dining Hall and Student Center. Architectural Resources Cambridge (ARC) designed a new vestibule as well as a dining patio for that building. On the exterior, the two firms also collaborated on reimagining the grounds’ landscaping layout.

Other work for the firms at Brooks included renovating a gathering space called the Keating Room, inclusive of increasing the amount of seating and upgrading the room’s AV systems. Connolly’s task list also included collaborating with A.T. Leonard & Associates on exterior structures such as the pool shed and the sugar shack, both of which are utilized for various summer activities.

Because the school is occupied year-round, this required the various firms to be creative so as to minimize the impact on the school, the students, as well as on ingress and egress—and required great attention to safety and the scheduling of building materials delivery. Connolly was chosen for the project due to its rather lengthy experience in pre-construction.

But no matter the preparation, Connolly’s Robert Spence, who acted as the project manager, said the arrival of several materials needed for the renovation was beyond anyone’s control.

“The biggest challenge our team faced was extended lead times for production and delivery of non-standard items, given that many manufacturers are still playing catch-up from the supply chain impacts of COVID,” Spence said in a statement to School Construction News. “Ultimately, we were pleased to implement the specialty and custom-tailored finishes that will enhance the already-idyllic Brooks campus.”

Added Jay Connolly, president of Connolly Brothers: “Brooks School is known for its challenging college preparatory program, an outstanding athletic program, and most of all for its supportive and close-knit community. We value Brooks School’s educational mission and are excited to help advance it with these new environments in which their students may thrive.”

Connolly Brothers was founded in Beverly, Massachusetts, in 1880. For five generations, the company has tackled construction management work throughout the New England area. Among Connolly’s subcontractors for the work at the Brooks jobsite was Rist-Frost-Shumway Engineering, which provided mechanical, electrical and plumbing services.

The post Massachusetts Private School Wraps Up Revamps appeared first on School Construction News.

Williams Scotsman, a provider of modular space and storage solutions in North America, was recognized for its relocatable modular project at the Potomac Shores Welcome Center in Dumbries, VA, as well as its work with Saltar’s Point Elementary in Steilacoom, Wash. The Saltar’s Point Elementary project in particular featured development and installation of a permanent, two-classroom modular education facility to accommodate the school’s growing population.

Workers completed the Saltar’s Point Elementary modular addition in fall 2013, adding more than 2,000 square feet of learning space to the school campus. The building comprises eight modular sections, with four on the lower building layout, and four size-matched roof sections. Those roof sections were factory complete with windows, exposed trusses and most mechanical systems. The pre-fabricated building was largely constructed off-site, allowing for a quick on-site installation process. All finishing work was conducted over the summer of 2013, and was completed in time for fall classes.

The facility’s yellow and grey exterior was specifically designed to compliment the existing school aesthetic. It features a front clerestory design with east-facing fixed windows, and a high, sloping shed-style roof. The two classrooms are joined by an angled entry porch, which both compliments and contrasts the angled roof.

The Modular Building Institute is a non-profit trade association that represents the manufacturers, dealers, and suppliers of commercial factory-built structures. MBI member companies manufacture, install, and service virtually every type of building application, for both temporary and permanent use.

An impartial panel of experts served as judges for the commercial building awards, and based their reviews on architectural excellence, technical innovation, cost effectiveness/energy efficiency, and calendar days to complete. To be considered, projects had to be intended as commercial structures, and all had to be of mobile or modular construction.

“The MBI awards provide an opportunity to showcase some of our recent innovations in modular space solutions from the past year,” said Brad Soultz, president of Williams Scotsman. “We enjoy a long history of serving the education sector, and we’ve proven again this year that we are a leader in that category. Williams Scotsman is proud to deliver permanent modular and temporary classroom solutions to accommodate any project need.”

The post Williams Scotsman Receives MBI Award appeared first on School Construction News.

Modular building has become a popular trend in the school construction market, and over the years MBI has provided professionals in the modular building industry a place to network, exchange ideas, learn from experts, discuss issues, display new products and get well-deserved recognition. The conference features high-profile speakers and educational sessions, on top of a busy exhibit hall, which showcases the latest trends, products and companies in the modular building industry.

This year, Ron Culberson, author of, “Do it Well. Make it Fun. The Key to Success in Life, Death and Almost Everything in Between,” led the conference as the keynote speaker. Along with Culberson, 17 other speakers took the stage to discuss a variety of topics that directly or indirectly affect the modular building industry.

The high number of speakers gave people at the conference a chance to openly exchange thoughts and ideas and also take information away from the many presentations. Attendees and exhibitors were also invited to attend the event’s factory tours. This year the factory tours included DIRTT and Accelerated Construction Technologies. Those attending the tour were able to see firsthand the work that goes into creating modular solutions.

With over 60 exhibitors, the tradeshow floor showcased many new and improved products that have been implemented in school design, including Complete Access, which installs stair chairs, wheelchair platform lifts and other accessible features in order for buildings to be ADA compliant. Shaw Industries Group was also present at the event and showcasing the latest in flooring technologies.

The event was a great opportunity to network with industry leaders in an organized, and yet relaxed atmosphere.

MBI hosts many other events throughout the year. You can find out more by visiting their online lists of events.

The post MBI Still Going Strong After 30 Years appeared first on School Construction News.