Learning
the Benefits of Concrete Masonry
Educational
Facilities
Building materials chosen for an
educational facility must withstand the high traffic activity of
hundreds of students. Concrete masonry units have always been a popular
building material for educational facilities. The units meet all of the
necessary requirements for a cost effective project that ensure the
extended life cycle demanded by such a heavily used facility. In
addition to freedom of design, concrete masonry units possess many
positive attributes. The outstanding fire ratings, durability,
soundproofing capabilities and low maintenance of concrete masonry units
have made them the preferred building material of many architects.
Evergreen Elementary
School
Collegeville,
Pennsylvania
Evergreen Elementary School exhibits
the unlimited design possibilities provided by concrete masonry unit
construction. The concrete masonry work for this spacious building was
done in a mere six months.
Approximately 116,000 concrete products
were used in the construction of the school. Standard concrete masonry
units were used for the interior walls. Red toned, 4" (100 mm)
split face concrete masonry units adorn the exterior walls. Split
fluted, 4" (100 mm) units add a subtle design element to the
building.
The striking appearance of this US
$4.75 million school was duplicated in the construction of another
school in the same district.
Architect:
The Ray Group, Inc.,
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
General Contractor:
Adams-Bickel Associates,
Collegeville, Pennsylvania
Masonry Contractor:
Thompson Masonry Contracting Co.,
Collegeville, Pennsylvania
Concrete Masonry Unit Supplier:
New Holland Concrete,
New Holland, Pennsylvania
Au Sable Primary School
Grayling, Michigan
The Au Sable Primary School is a
portrait of the design freedom offered by concrete masonry units. In
addition to the design freedom, durability, architectural versatility
and insurance savings were deciding factors in choosing concrete
products for this project.
The architects specified 83,700
lightweight, Spectra-Glaze, ground face and split face concrete masonry
units for this school. Brightly colored yellow glazed block provide
added interest to the exterior walls. Column block support awnings near
several doorways and create another interesting dimension to the
building.
Constructed within 12 months, the
50,000 square foot (4600 sq m) school houses approximately 400 students
and contains an early childhood development facility. The overwhelming
success of the Au Sable Primary School influenced the use of concrete
masonry units in the construction of the Grayling Elementary School in
Grayling, Michigan.
Architect:
G.B.K.B. Associates,Traverse City, Michigan
General Contractor:
E&V Construction Management,
Houghton Lake, Michigan
Masonry Contractor:
Helger Construction, Midland, Michigan
Concrete Masonry Unit Supplier:
4D, Inc., Midland, Michigan
East High School
Erie, Pennsylvania
East High School stands as a showcase
for concrete product diversity. The structure used more than 180,000
veneer ground face, split face, split fluted and acoustical concrete
masonry units. The architects chose concrete products as the primary
building material for its durability, structural capabilities,
aesthetics and economical value.
A unique combination of silver split
fluted and red smooth face concrete masonry units were alternated in
size to create a distinct pattern around the building. A diamond-shaped
design adds uniqueness to the exterior architecture.
At 206,000 square feet (18,952 sq m),
East High spans an entire city block and accommodates over 1100
students. The building is equipped with the latest communications data
network, including phone and computer access at every point in the
building. Student facilities include a 25 yard (22.5 m) swimming pool in
the natatorium that was constructed with acoustical block to absorb
noise. The school also features a 1200 student capacity gymnasium,
auditorium and 46 classrooms and labs. A 500 square foot (46 sq m) mural
and stained glass windows decorate the cafeteria. A total investment for
this student friendly, contemporary learning institution was US $17.3
million.
Despite the enormous size and detailed
architecture, construction was completed in 15 months.
Architect:
Roth Marz Partnership P.C., Erie,
Pennsylvania
General Contractor:
H. Platt Co., Erie, Pennsylvania
Masonry Contractor:
Pustelak Masonry, Girard, Pennsylvania
Concrete Masonry Unit Supplier:
A. Duchini, Inc., Erie, Pennsylvania
Owen Sound Collegiate
& Vocational Institute
Owen Sound, Ontario,
Canada
The Owen Sound Collegiate &
Vocational Institute (OSCVI) demonstrates concrete product design
versatility. This structure serves multiple purposes for the population
of Ontario, Canada including a secondary school and the housing for
various community activities.
The many attributes of concrete
products prompted specification by the architects. Among the most
attractive attributes were durability, availability, flexibility of
design and outstanding fire ratings. The 120,000 square foot (11,040 sq
m) OSCVI was constructed with more than 250,000 huron range and desert
buff colored standard and lightweight 8" (200 mm) concrete products
and metric jumbo sized concrete brick.
Local availability of concrete products
allowed the project to be completed on schedule. Students began using
the elaborate facility in 1998 after one year of construction.
Architect:
Makrimichalos – Cugini Architects,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
General Contractor:
J.S. Watson & Associates Ltd.,
Markham, Ontario, Canada
Masonry Contractor:
Burling Ranger Company Inc.,
Thornton, Ontario, Canada
Concrete Masonry Unit Supplier:
Shouldice Designer Stone, Shallow Lake, Ontario, Canada
Anthony Pizzo
Elementary School
Hillsborough, Florida
Currently serving 953 students, the
Anthony Pizzo Elementary School is
located on a 9.6 acre (3.8 hectares)
site in the southeast corner of the campus of the University of South
Florida. The building is a result of the collaborative effort between
the Hillsborough County Public Schools, the University of South Florida,
and the Hillsborough County Museum of Science and Industry.
Anthony Pizzo Elementary is constructed
of 85,000 4" (100 mm) tan and cream colored, veneer concrete
masonry units. The total cost of the project was US $12 million and it
was completed in less than a year. The school utilizes 108,200 square
feet (9956 sq m) of land within the restricted property area. The four
two-story and one single-story buildings contain 49 elementary
classrooms, four university classrooms, two supplemental instruction
rooms, administration and guidance media center, music, physical
education, multi-purpose cafeteria and university administrative
offices.
Concrete masonry was chosen for the
project primarily because of low maintenance, extended life cycle and
positive economics. Design flexibility and aesthetics were also deciding
factors. The ease of construction and beautiful completed facility has
inspired the architect to follow the same basic design for two
additional schools.
Architect:
Holmes Hepner & Associates
Architects, Tampa, Florida
General Contractor:
The Norwood Company, Tampa, Florida
Masonry Contractor:
Block Busters, Inc., Seminole, Florida
Concrete Masonry Unit Supplier:
Tarmac America, Inc., Edgewater, Florida
Bedford Street School
Derby, England
A unique primary school, the Bedford
Street School of Derby, England illustrates the design versatility
available through the use of concrete products.
Approximately 16,000 concrete masonry
units were used to construct the Bedford Street School. The main
building consists of millstone buff colored, shot-blasted concrete
masonry units. Shot-blasting exposes more of the aggregate and gives the
wall a naturally weathered appearance that will last a lifetime. The
banding around certain parts of the school was created with slate gray,
fair face (standard) units. Fair face units were incorporated to provide
a smooth and consistent appearance for the school.
Architect:
L.A. Calladine Architects Ltd.,
Mattock, England
General Contractor and
Masonry Contractor:
B&K Building Services, Derby, England
Concrete Masonry Unit Supplier:
Plasmor Ltd., West Yorkshire, England
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