Plymouth, MA – The new 1,350-pupil Plymouth North High School represents the second use of the Whitman-Hanson High School as a model for a new high school.
The Plymouth North educational program included many more expanded and differing course offerings than Whitman-Hanson, therefore requiring a completely re-organized building plan.
Plymouth’s historic architecture also provided justification for the development of a completely new exterior design, drawing inspiration from key architectural styles within the Town.
J&J Contractors acted as general contractors.
The Town had very high goals with regard to “Green” design and sustainability, and the W-H model provided an excellent platform due to all of its inherent features. Amenities such as photovoltaics and gray water collection were expanded, and many new features such as a wind turbine and electric vehicle charging stations were added, making Plymouth North High School one of the first LEED Platinum High Schools in the country, and allowing it to generate all of its required electricity on-site through alternative energy sources.
The completed facility will be an innovative 21st Century learning environment where students can witness the implementation of the most advanced sustainable design strategies, while simultaneously understanding the science and engineering which makes such innovation possible. The project will include:
1) Robotics and Engineering Laboratories where students can design, build, and exercise the practical applications of their work;
2) Facilitative Learning Classrooms – typical academic classroom includes a built-in facilitator station which allows the teacher to have access to all of the integrated technological tools within the classroom from a single-touch control panel. Computer driven interactive white boards, LCD projectors, document scanners, CPUs, and video devices are all available at this central control panel;
3) Sound Reinforcement System in all instruction spaces – reinforcing and balancing the spoken voice within the room for better listening and understanding;
4) Performance & Distance Learning Theater – “true” distance learning requires the design of an acoustically appropriate space and the technology to deliver “real time” streaming of voice, video, and data; 5) Cyber Café for Collaborative Teacher Planning – these areas combine departmental reference materials, teacher work and planning areas, laptop computer “docking” stations, conference rooms, storage areas, and kitchenettes into a collective planning area which encourages collaborative planning and social interaction; 6) Departmental Presentation and Interactive Instruction Kiosks – the student circulation through the building requires each student to pass through departmental “zones” which include display kiosks, plasma screens, and data transmission to allow for student interaction; and 7) Instructional Outdoor Courtyard with wireless internet access.
The project includes all the community aspects incorporated into the W-H Model, including but not limited to an indoor walking track, fully air-conditioned building supporting summer and after-hours use, artificial turf fields (baseball, softball, soccer, football), a new stadium with track, and a full performance auditorium. The new facility is being constructed directly adjacent to the existing occupied high school, requiring comprehensive provisions for phased-occupied construction on a site which will be occupied by students, faculty, and staff throughout the duration of construction.