WESTPORT, Mass.—Construction continues on the new $75 million Westport Middle-High School project in Westport.

When completed in fall 2021, the 187,100-square-foot school will be able to accommodate up to 860 students in grades 5 to 12. This two-story educational building is designed on a project-based learning curriculum with an emphasis on STEAM education. There will be a Learning Commons on the ground floor, along with a maker space, fabrication labs, and childcare vocational spaces.

Jonathan Levi Architects is the design firm on this impressive project. Agostini Construction is the general contractor.

The project also includes two full size gymnasiums, 1,320 square feet of physical education alternative space, and a walking track.

The Middle and High school academic spaces are separated from each other, and both will have access to a shared commons. A state-of-the-art library media center is located on the main floor adjacent to the main entrance.

“The new Westport Middle-High School has been designed to reflect new understandings in education,” said Superintendent Gary Reese, in a statement.

“Our students will be better prepared to become productive, contributing members of society as a result of the new and innovative learning opportunities that they will experience in the new building.”

The building envelope consists of masonry, glazing and metal panels. The project is seeking certification from the US Green Building Council’s LEED Rating System, Version 4 (LEEDv4) New Construction and Major Renovation.

The post Build Forges Ahead on $75M Massachusetts Middle-High School appeared first on School Construction News.

WESTPORT, Maine—When completed in August 2021, the new $75 million Westport Middle-High School will serve up to 860 students in grades 5-12.

This two-story educational building will span 187,000 square feet and is being designed on a project-based learning curriculum with emphasis on STEAM education. There will be a Learning Commons on the ground floor, along with a maker space, fabrication labs, and childcare vocational spaces. It will include two full size gymnasiums, 1,320 square feet of physical education alternative space and a walking track.

The Middle and High school academic spaces are separated from each other, and both will have access to a shared commons. A state-of-the-art library media center is located on the main floor adjacent to the main entrance. The building envelope consists of masonry, glazing and metal panels.

Agostini Construction is the general contractor on this impressive project. Jonathan Levi Architects is the architect.

The project is seeking certification from the US Green Building Council’s LEED Rating System, Version 4 New Construction and Major Renovation.

The post $75 Million Maine Middle-High School Slated for 2021 Wrap appeared first on School Construction News.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.—Ground was broken recently on a new $98.3 million middle school in Framingham that will replace the existing Fuller Middle School.

The groundbreaking comes six months after voters in the city overwhelmingly approved a debt exclusion for the city’s part of the new school, which will replace the 61-year-old Fuller Middle School.

When built in 1958, the Fuller Middle School was originally the Framingham South High School. According to a statement from the Framingham, Mass., School District, when the North and South high schools combined to create Framingham High School in the 1990s, the building was repurposed into a middle school. The district determined that renovating the aging facility would be more costly than new construction and would provide no educational improvements.

The new school is expected to open in 2021-22. The existing school will remain open during construction. Consigli Construction is the general contractor on this impressive project, and Jonathan Levi Architects is the architect.

The new three-story building will include a learning commons/cafeteria at the core surrounded by collaboration balconies. In addition to classrooms, the school will have an 8,300-square-foot gymnasium, a 420-seat auditorium, and space dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) instruction.

A model of sustainable design, the new school will incorporate innovative approaches to saving energy to provide a comfortable, safe environment. Classroom windows will be split into a lower and upper section; the lower section glass will provide natural light, views and fresh air, and the upper section will be positioned over “light shelves” that reflect daylight onto a white ceiling, which in turn shines deep into the room. The lighting is designed to dim or brighten depending on how sunny it is outside.

Last year, the Massachusetts School Building Authority agreed to reimburse $39.5 million to the city for the school construction, leaving the other $58.8 million for local taxpayers to pay.

It’s time that we moved to this 21st-century education,” said Fuller Principal Jose Duarte, in a statement.

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