Location:Brewster, NY
Size:26,000 square feet
Completion Date:2012
Awards:AIA WHV Citation Award, Learning by Design Outstanding Project
Brewster Central School District sought to remake their 1957 middle school to create a renewed and efficient facility that could match their 21st Century curriculum and programming. The district’s goals were to enhance the overall efficiency of the building in terms of energy performance, grade-level clustering, scheduling, student flow, the potential for shared resources, and public use of facilities.
3-story classroom addition.
After exploring multiple design solutions, a comprehensive two phased plan was developed that included 26,000 SF 3-level brick and block science classroom addition, a new library addition, new stair hall addition and front entrance canopy. Interior renovations, relocation and repurposing projects were completed throughout the existing building including an extensive window replacement project.
Enhanced day-lighting was an integral part of the design solution, which ultimately doubled the amount of natural light in the existing building. As a part of the District’s mandate for an energy efficient building, the design also included a high-performance building envelope, insulated window glass, high efficiency boilers, energy recovery. ventilation, a solar thermal array for domestic hot water, a partial vegetative green roofing system and recycled flooring products and finishes
In addition to the energy efficient design elements, a number of 21st Century approaches informed the design of the new and renovated spaces. The bright and open library encourages collaborative learning and group discussion, the improved building layout connects the school community providing a better sense of identity, public utilized spaces like the library and cafeteria were thoughtfully located for secure use and state of the art science labs were designed to meet new and emerging curriculum and programming.