CREW CT - The Real Estate Exchange 2016 Blue Ribbon Awards: Best in Class Education Project: CREC Academy of Aerospace & Engineering

Windsor, CT The Academy of Aerospace & Engineering design consists of four pods: Middle School, High School, Aerospace / Engineering, and Assembly. Several visual cues relating to the aerospace and engineering theme are evident at the building’s exterior.

This state-of-the-art design uses a contemporary “airfoil” form to emphasize the Middle School façade. Concepts for the exterior materials were drawn from the Hubble Telescope’s deep space photograph of the Lagoon Nebula and lunar landscape. Visible from Kennedy Road, a zinc-clad curved “wing” contains middle school science laboratories. A quarterbarrel roof with an exposed trussed structure at the gymnasium references the design of an airplane hangar.

Inside, the way-finding concept is modeled after Bradley International Airport’s airstrip, and the entry lobby showcases historic aviation models. The three-story main lobby accommodates a full-size replica of the Mercury Capsule, while the media center entrance overlooks one of the school’s entrances to mimic NASA’s “Mission Control”.

Enrolling up to 735 students, this magnet school’s curriculum focuses on aerospace and engineering. Typical classrooms are a spacious 900 square feet, affording students multiple types of learning spaces in which to excel. CLAB spaces include: Fabrication Lab, Manufacturing Lab, Aerospace CLAB, Engineering CLAB, Physics CLAB, Environmental Science, Chemistry CLAB, Biology CLAB and supporting project rooms, storage and independent study spaces. Advanced technology and cutting-edge equipment can be found throughout the building, providing a sophisticated learning environment to complement the challenging curriculum.

A high performance building, the school contains photovoltaic louvers and a computerized building management system. Operable photovoltaic louvers are used on the South and East elevations to maximize sun exposure for energy collection, while providing the most beneficial building shading in order to reduce cooling costs. The building’s overall energy usage and generation, as well as water consumption, are monitored by a building management system with the data displayed on televisions throughout school. This allows the end users to understand energy usage and participate in reducing their carbon footprint.

The school utilized an existing commercial building made up of a standard rectangular box with no distinct design features. This upgrade and expansion project required a creative approach to transform it into a striking and effective STEM themed school that inspires students in Grades 6 through 12.