News: Construction Design & Engineering

CTA Const. and Municipal Building Consultants provide services for Maynard High School

The shape of the 350-seat auditorium of the new Maynard High School is clearly visible from the concrete and steel work completed so far by CTA Construction Co. Inc. As the architect's vision is realized, CTA Construction is making similar progress on seven other school construction projects in Massachusetts. An award-winning firm based in Waltham, CTA Construction is the general contractor on school projects in Douglas, Billerica, Boylston, Burlington, Tewksbury, Winchester and Weston, as well as Maynard. CTA's portfolio includes 45 projects valued at over $700 million, and CTA has a 94% customer satisfaction rating from the state's Division of Capital Asset Management. "Because of our extensive experience in constructing school buildings, CTA is able to provide our customers with greater efficiencies with thoughtful planning and competitive pricing. Maynard High School will be the pride of that community and a great example of how CTA Construction is building the future of public schools in Massachusetts," said Jeff Hazelwood Jr., project executive for CTA. Work on the new $36.7 million Maynard High School began about six months ago and is on track for completion next year. The 122,000 s/f school will serve 410 students in grades 8 to 10. The building was designed by Tappe Associates, Inc., a Boston-based architecture and planning firm. Municipal Building Consultants, Inc. of North Andover provided preconstruction and construction services. "Working on the maynard high school has been a wonderful collaboratibe effort between the owner, MSBA, OPM and CTA the contractor. We have tried to design a contextual building reflective of weathered wood and natural organic materials as it sits in the landscape behind the existing high school," said Brooke Trivas, principal-in-charge for Tappe Assoc. The two-story building with a glass wall entrance and brick-and-slate cladding also features a gymnasium with 600 seats on electric telescoping bleachers, a media center, art and music classrooms, and vocational technology classrooms. The new school will also include a radio and TV station that will be integral to the school program. The skeleton of the new school will consist of 2,200 pieces of steel weighing 770 tons. It is being built adjacent to the existing Maynard High School, which is 60 feet from the new building at its closest point. Following completion of the new facility, the former high school will be demolished and the site used as playing fields. The close proximity to the occupied school involves intricate coordination of construction activities in order to minimize disruption to ongoing classes. CTA is experienced in successfully managing these conditions on numerous school projects. The project is participating in the Mass. Collaborative for High Performance Schools (MA-CHPS), a program that improves the quality of education by setting standards for the design, construction and operation of new, high-performance schools that are environmentally sustainable, healthy and comfortable. MA-CHPS is part of a nationwide program, the Collaborative for High Performance Schools, the nation's first green building rating program developed especially for school learning environments. In 2011, CTA won a Green Building Award from the Associated Builders & Contractors Mass. Chapter for its work on the East Elementary School in Hingham, which featured many environmentally friendly features including solar wall heating and recycled rainwater utilization. In addition, CTA last year won the Public Works Project of the Year from the American Public Works Association and the Eagle Award from the ABC Mass. Chapter.
MORE FROM Construction Design & Engineering
Construction Design & Engineering

Weston & Sampson earns award from ACEC for Arlington DPW job

Arlington, MA Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc., has earned a National Recognition Award for exemplary engineering achievement in the American Council of Engineering Companies’ (ACEC) 58th annual Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA). The award comes for leading the renovation of the Arlington Department of Public Works (DPW) facility.
READ ON THE GO
DIGITAL EDITIONS
Subscribe
Columns and Thought Leadership
State legislature ends session without passing PLA bill - by Joe Camilo

State legislature ends session without passing PLA bill - by Joe Camilo

Massachusetts taxpayers dodged a bullet when the state Senate didn’t take up legislation passed by the House in the waning moments of the legislative session that would have made it easier for municipalities and state agencies to use union-only project labor agreements (PLAs) on construction projects.
Ask the Electrician: Is summer a prime time for commercial electrical maintenance?

Ask the Electrician: Is summer a prime time for commercial electrical maintenance?

The answer is “Yes!” While January marks the official new year, many businesses view September as a fresh start. This makes summer an ideal time for commercial property owners to schedule long-term electrical maintenance projects.
The design-build advantage: Integrated interior design solutions - by Parker Snyder

The design-build advantage: Integrated interior design solutions - by Parker Snyder

When it comes to corporate interior spaces for both commercial and industrial projects, partnering with a design-build firm with in-house interior design services can offer clients many benefits. Unlike traditional delivery methods where interior designers operate independently from the design and construction teams, often creating a longer project timeline as cost negotiations and revisions ensue
Ask the Electrician:  How do I prepare my commercial building for a disaster?

Ask the Electrician: How do I prepare my commercial building for a disaster?

New England’s notorious weather – from fierce winter storms to summer squalls and fall hurricanes – can leave businesses in the dark. While power outages are often blamed on storms, they can also be caused by unforeseen events like accidents or construction mishaps. While it’s impossible to prevent disasters and power outages entirely, proactive preparation can significantly minimize their impact on your commercial building.