Wellesley High School

Wellesley, MassachusettsDesign Concept Award

High SchoolSymmes, Maini & McKee Associates

2010 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

Wellesley High School

Wellesley High School

Exterior RenderingCommunity Environment: The community of Wellesley prides itself on its inclusive, collaborative planning processes. SMMA engaged multiple stakeholder groups throughout the four year study and design phases.

Building Cross-Section, Showing Theater and Green RoofCommunity Environment: SMMA engaged an educational planner to facilitate the visioning process and to expose the school’s administration to the greatest range of current educational planning and theory.

Program AdjacenciesLearning Environment: The compact and efficient hub-and-spoke layout allows for new departmental adjacencies or to house organizations, short travel distances, with student commons spaces are centered on each floor.

House Guidance and Administration

Humanities Houses

Public Commons Theater

Public Court

Private Court

Fitness & Health

LibraryLearning Environment: Satellite administration and guidance centers located centrally on each floor. The cafeteria/commons at the main entrance allow for pre- and post-function public events associated with the auditorium and gymnasium, and there is morning and afternoon public access to the fitness center.

Student CafeteriaPhysical Environment: Originally constructed in 1938, the iconic Wellesley High School has undergone numerous modifications and additions. However, adequate growth has been severely limited by the constrained site, which abuts residences, a park, and two streams. The town initially commissioned SMMA to explore a program of renovations and potential additions, including a new library/media center and add classrooms and science/technology spaces required for an expanded 21st-century curriculum.

Exterior RenderingPhysical Environment : SMMA’s studies for this revitalization fell short of the community’s long-range educational goals. In addition, any renovation program would require phased construction of long duration, substantially impacting the school’s operations. Finally, rapid student growth (from 1,250 to 1,600) and rising construction costs suggested that such a phased construction program would produce only modest savings over new construction and a severely compromised educational model.

School SignPlanning Process: Challenges included the building massing and footprint in the dense neighborhood with an existing operational high school; validating the need for a new high school vs. renovation of the existing school (supported by a 90% approval vote at public Town meeting and debt exclusion votes), and retaining the historic features for future generations through a cooperative design process with the Wellesley Historic Society. This high-performing academic community with broad public support sought to improve academic delivery and enhance the physical educational environment.

Entry Planning Process: Cost effectiveness and community resources-The CM-at-risk process from design development through construction using early bid packages for site preparation, foundations, and steel shortened construction duration by a full school year.Sustainable features of the design -Massachusetts-CHPS certifiable; highly efficient heating/cooling systems and lighting/power systems; 10,000-square-foot green roof overlooking front building entrance and connected.to science programs; rainwater harvesting storage system for flushing toilets and future irrigation; 40Kw photovoltaic system with expansion capacity; two geothermal wells for year-round cooling system for administration offices; daylight harvesting at major public spaces; bioswales at parking lot islands; pervious pavement for improved site drainage; ultra low flow toilets and dual-flush toilets throughout; reduced impervious site overage area with compact four-story building minimizes impact to adjacent wetlands; LED site lighting; 100% night lighting shutoff; and maintaining mature site vegetation, trails, and wetlands.

First Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

Third Floor Plan

Fourth Floor Plan

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2010 Project Data

Submitting Firm : Symmes, Maini & McKee AssociatesProject Role Architect/Engineering FirmProject Contact Alex C. Pitkin, AIA, LEED AP Title Principal, Senior Vice PresidentAddress 1000 Massachusetts Ave.City, State or Province, Country Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138Phone 617.547.5400

Joint Partner Firm:Project Role Not ApplicableProject ContactTitleAddressCity, State or Province, CountryPhone

Other Firm:Project RoleProject ContactTitleAddressCity, State or Province, CountryPhone

Construction Firm: Turner ConstructionProject Role Construction FirmProject Contact Maureen KirkpatrickTitle Project ExecutiveAddress 2 Seaport LaneCity, State or Province, Country Boston, Massachusetts 02210Phone 617.247.6400

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2010 Project Details

Project Name  Wellesley High School

City  Wellesley

State Massachusetts

District Name  Wellesley School District

Supt/President  Dr. Bella Wong

Occupancy Date  Fall 2012

Grades Housed  9-12

 

Capacity(Students)  1,600

Site Size (acres)  14 acres

Gross Area (sq. ft.)  280,000 sf

Per Occupant(pupil)  175

gross/net please indicate gsf

 

Design and Build?  

If yes, Total Cost:  

Includes:  

 

If no,  

Site Development:  $8,150,000

Building Construction:  $94,604,000

Fixed Equipment:  $4,776,900

Other:  $22,469,100

 

Total:  $130,000,000