Reading, MA – R.G. Vanderweil Engineers, LLP, a Boston based, full-service engineering firm, is collaborating with Dore & Whiter Architects, on the new North Reading Middle/High School, located in North Reading, MA.
The newly designed school will comprise of a 270,000 square foot building that will provide a 21learning environment for the students and faculty. The new facility will offer flexible classrooms, small group learning rooms, special education spaces, high-tech science laboratories, technology program spaces, along with creativity inspiring art rooms.
The existing renovated middle school and new high school will be connected through a large open “Main Street” corridor. The two adjoining spaces will share a new auditorium, cafeteria, gymnasium, library, media center, along with the administrative spaces. In addition, this project has been designed for phased construction with the new high school to be completed prior the the middle school renovation. Due to the multiple phases, the schedule is being compressed where possible in order to expedite the opportunity for utilization.
North Reading Middle/High School has been designed to achieve LEED® Gold certification. To achieve this level of certification, numerous sustainable features have been implemented into the building’s design. Some of the sustainable design features will include a high performance exterior wall system that includes high efficiency windows with thermal performance and high visible light transmittance, daylight dimming lighting controls with photocells, and systems put in place and equipment selected to allow a increased level of water efficiency with the use of low-flow fixtures. Classrooms receive supply air from low sidewall grilles with higher supply air temperatures to improve energy efficiency. The auditorium is served by a displacement air system.
Currently, the anticipated project completion date for the North Reading Middle/High School is in the Fall of 2015.