IIDA/AIA/IFMA/USGBC/Global Green Host Tour of Andrew Wilson Elementary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 8, 2010

Contact: JoAnn B. Dugas

504-636-3452

dugas@hms-pa.com

IIDA/AIA/IFMA/USGBC/Global Green Host tour of Andrew H. Wilson Elementary School

New Orleans, LA – Charles B. Montgomery, Principal at HMS Architects, an architectural firm offering professional services for specialized complex educational projects, conducted a tour of the newly renovated Andrew H. Wilson Elementary School located in the Broadmoor neighborhood on January 27, 2010. The tour was conceived and hosted by IIDA, New Orleans, AIA New Orleans, IFMA, New Orleans, USGBC, La. Chapter,.Global Green USA

The original Andrew H. Wilson school building was designed by local architect E.A. Christy in 1909. Three years later a classroom wing was added north of the site. In the 1940’s an accessory school building was constructed on the corner of S. Miro Street and Milan Street. Andrew H. Wilson School remained operational for nearly 100 years until 2005 when Hurricane Katrina flooded the Broadmoor neighborhood. The school received approximately two feet of water on the first floor and sustained substantial roof damage. In 2007, Andrew Wilson School was chosen as one of the five New Orleans Recovery School District’s (RSD) Quick Start Schools. The school’s design program included a complete renovation of the existing school building, demolition of the heavily damaged accessory building and a new addition of approximately 50,000 square feet to house a cafeteria, gymnasium, library, music rooms and an administrative wing.

The walking tour highlighted the new facilities environmentally friendly site design, high performance building envelope, enhanced classroom acoustics, daylighting design, “green” construction materials, and many additional elements that also function as teaching tools. The project was designed using LEED for Schools 2007 standards and is anticipated to achieve LEED for Schools certification by the United States Green Building council. The project restores a significant local Historic structure into a 21st century high performance school.

“HMS Architects was honored to be chosen to design the renovation and addition of Andrew H. Wilson. This school has played a significant part in the history of the Broadmoor community. Today, it serves as the core anchor of their redevelopment plan. The people of Broadmoor with their vibrant and resilient spirit have been a delightful bonus as we see their excitement in the development of Wilson”, said Mr. Montgomery.

BUILDING FACTS: Construction Cost $25.8 Million: Cost per Sq.Ft. $261: Building Square Footage: 48,060sf Renovated, 50,786sf New, Total square feet, 98,846:

DESIGN TEAM: HMS Architects, New Orleans, LA; Innovative Design, N.C.; Morphy Makofsky, Inc.; Moses Engineers; Reich and Associates; FutureProof; BAi Acousticians: Construction was by Walton Construction Co.

CONTRIBUTORS: Broadmoor Improvement Association: Global Green: FutureProof: Clinton Global Initiative

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ABOUT HMS ARCHITECTS: HMS Architects has been recognized for providing sound, creative and enduring design through collaborative processes. Using the latest in technology, a talented and experienced staff, and a commitment to collaboration and teamwork, HMS offers accessible communication both within the firm as well as with clients, contractors and consultants. This commitment to collaboration ensures each client the greatest possible breadth of ideas and outstanding results. For more information visit www.hmsarchitects.com

Charles Montgomery, Principal at HMS Architects welcomes the attendees in the cafeteria. Note the daylighting optimized through the use of curved translucent interior lightshelves in south facing windows.  

A View of the courtyard and the 12,000 gallon rainwater collection tank and permeable pavers that allow underground percolation systems and detention areas.

Charles Montgomery, Principal at HMS Architects points out the indoor environmental quality including material selections that are rapidly renewable such as the bamboo flooring.

Ninety percent of interior walls were salvaged, thus retaining original classroom layouts.  The Design Team focused on improving the indoor environmental quality of the classroom.  Each classroom has ample vision and daylight glazing with direct glare eliminated through the use of sun shading devices.  High efficiency T8 dimming lamp fixtures were used in conjunction with occupancy sensors and daylight dimming sensors. Teaching walls and SMARTTM boards are strategically placed to prevent glare while seating areas receive abundant, controlled daylight.

The classroom spaces are acoustically isolated from adjacent classrooms with acoutical insulation and increased separation through a storage space.  Additional daylighting strategies include selective glazing types per function and orientation of the windows, roof monitors at top floors with fabric baffles, as well as vertical fabric baffles and interior lightshelves at east and west facing classrooms.

An elaborate educational mural was created for the main staircase that explains facts about New Orleans history and the development of the Broadmoor community through a series of maps and timelines.  The goal is to not only create a wonderful environment for children, but to enable them to understand their role in their environment.

Throughout the project's construction over 4,400 tons of construction waste was reduced and diverted to recycling facilities.  This accounts for over 80 of the total construction waste.   Over 90% of the existing building structure was reused.  Careful selection of materials for high recycled content were chosen throughout the project.  Examples include, gym flooring-recycled rubber, front benches-recycled milk cartons, site fill-recycled concrete.

More info on Andrew Wilson Elementary