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F ollowing an intensive site search, the Regional School Committee purchased 87 acres of open land adjacent to the existing high school playing fields of

which 50% has been preserved as an open space buffer. As part of the master plan, an open space analysis was completed which provided the program for several new athletic fields, taking care in the design to ensure the close proximity of parking, accessibil-ity, amenities, proper drainage, sensitivity to the site, and the preservation of wetlands and natural resources.

As a major public facility shared by two adjoining towns, the school was planned as both a state-of-the-art high school and an educational and recreational resource for the wider communities it serves. The plan of the school accommodates this by forming a community wing with easy public access to the auditorium, gymnasium, health and fitness center, and cafeteria while closely connected to a three-story academic wing accommodating the

Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School

In 2003, Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District commissioned a study of their regional high school complex that would lay out a master plan for its future. The result is an incredible facility that outshines even many college campuses. From sunlit hallways to an incredible theatre with first class acoustics, it never escapes your attention for a moment that this is nothing like the high school you attended growing up. The school’s designers wanted to create a facility that would serve the entire community, not just the 2,000 students who attend. The result is an incredible facility for the entire region to enjoy.

c a s e S T U D Y

By SMMA, Inc.

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classrooms, laboratories, and support spaces used by the student population. This facilitates commu-nity use of the building after hours and during the summer while main-taining security for the academic precincts of the building.

Features

SitE

The new Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School is located across the street from the former high school, now adaptively reused as the Bridgewater Middle School. Existing impervious parking spaces were removed from the middle school site to balance the entire site.

The three storey classrooms were planned to help reduce the building footprint. The build-ing has a white roof with a solar

reflective index of 78 to reduce the urban heat island effect.

Stormwater management on site controls the peak rates of runoff to be the same as pre-development and the irrigation is provided by an on-site irrigation well.

WAtER

The school achieved an indoor water use reduction of 20% above current code through system speci-fications for automatic faucets and low flush urinals. For outdoor use, an existing agricultural well was reused for the irrigation of plants adjacent to the facility—native species and drought-tolerant vegeta-tion is used across the site to mini-mize the need for irrigation. Use of artificial turf for the stadium play-ing field reduces water consump-tion, pesticides and fertilizers.

EnERgy

The new high school exceeded the current energy code by 20% through the use of high efficiency glazing, HVAC system, lighting specifica-tions and building envelope design. An energy management system was installed to monitor energy consumption in the HVAC and hot water systems. Air conditioning was minimized throughout the building by 28%. Classrooms have operable windows and natural light flows throughout: from operable transom windows to the corridor, sidelights, skylights, and corner stairwells with wide views to the landscape. All provide ventilation and make the building feel open and bright. The high efficiency lighting includes pendant-mounted direct and indirect fluorescent fixtures with electronic ballasts

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and occupancy sensors in all classrooms, labs, administrative offices, storage rooms and other miscellaneous rooms. There is also an automatic lighting control system for all public spaces.

MAtERiAlS

The project execution followed a Construction Waste Management plan which included recycling during construction. Building materials contain a high recycled content and have durable/aesthetically appealing surfaces including non waxing porcelain ceramic floor tiles throughout all corridors, and non-paintable hallway wainscots throughout. Recycling closets are integrated at convenient locations throughout the building as part of the overall facility recycling program.

inDOOR EnviROnMEntAl QuAlity

Through the use of glazing, skylights and light monitors, there is daylighting and/or access to views in 90% of classrooms. Low emitting materials are used throughout—gypsum board, acoustic ceiling tiles, carpet, adhesives, sealants, resilient flooring material, paint and furni-ture fabrics. Operable windows, temperature and lighting controls are installed in each classroom.

AcOuStic DESign

Classrooms were designed with a minimum of 45dba background noise levels. Displacement ventila-tion installed in the Auditorium/Theater environment provides for better acoustics and air quality.

POlicy AnD OPERAtiOnS

The high school was designed

to allow for building expan-sion and the addition of future sustainable features. The spatial organization of the plan allows for an expansion of the core classrooms up to 2,500 students.

A great deal of time was spent in the planning phase of this project with lots of input provided by teach-ers, parents and even students. The resulting school is a model of how beautiful and functional a green building can be.

About the Author: A special thanks to SMMA for conducting a tour of this facility for D&H and other USGBC Conference attendees, and also for providing the information contained within this case study. Symmes Maini & McKee Associates is an integrated design firm offering architecture, engineering, planning, and interior design services to corporate, technology, and institutional clients. Founded in 1955, SMMA is a company of 140 professionals with offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island.

Skylights placed at regular intervals along the hallway allow for the maximum daylighting and reduced electricity useage.

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