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| Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School | |||||
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| Client: Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School Address: 3300 Chester Avenue, Bethlehem, Northampton County, PA Reference: Donald Foellner, Executive Director (retired) Category: Education – Public Technical School Construction Start Date: September 2000 Completion Date: August 2001 Project Area New: 3,960 sq. ft. Project Area Renovation: 143,115 sq. ft. Total Project Cost: $10,522,480.00 Cost per Square Foot: $71.55 Capacity: 600 Students Design Team: Project Engineer: D’Huy Engineering, Inc, Bethlehem, PA Civil Engineer: Cowan Associates, Quakertown, PA Mechanical, Electrical & Fire Protection Engineers: Lehigh Valley Engineering, Bethlehem, PA Structural Engineer: D’Huy Engineering, Inc, Bethlehem, PA Contractors: General Contractor: Rizzetto Construction, Schnecksville, PA Contract Amount: $4,925,093. Electrical Contractor: Albarell Electric, Bethlehem, PA Contract Amount: $2,169,165. HVAC Contractor: JBM Plumbing, Bethlehem, PA Contract Amount: $3,045,320. Plumbing Contractor: JBM Plumbing, Bethlehem, PA Contract Amount: $382,902. Project Description: Built in 1969, and operated with the support of three local school districts, the Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School was long overdue for a renovation. The building environmental systems were obsolete and energy wasteful, it seemed the roof leaked even when not raining; student facilities were outdated and in dire need of repair and the exterior pre-cast concrete walls were beginning to crumble. The school sought both interior and exterior renovations to update the look and function of the facility that was used year round both by secondary students and adult learning programs. An educational benefit existed for students to witness the work being done. The school agreed and the Design Team of Architecture FURST, consultants and contractors completed the 147,000 square-foot project within budget and six months ahead schedule. The design created a new entry that combined utility and a fresh new look. The original concrete canopy was removed and replaced with a new second floor addition that also served as the building’s main entrance. This new interior space allowed for the administration to relocate the student services programs to this new central location. All of the existing pre-cast concrete wall panels, which included only single pane glazing, were removed. They were replaced with a new energy efficient aluminum curtain wall system. The removal of the canopy allowed the construction of new sidewalks, parking lot expansion and an improved bus loop. As the building's focal point, the new entrance is both functional and attractive, using materials that identify the building as a vocational technical school. The remaining wall panels were repaired and recoated with a specialized treatment to eliminate moisture damage. The finish gave the entire building a revitalized color scheme. The main foyer was redesigned to present the “image” of a vocational school, be easy to maintain and to withstand the impact of the students. Plastic laminate wall panels, metal anodized ceilings and industrial lighting helped achieve the design intent. Four mechanical penthouses - each 30' x 75' - were added onto the existing roof. The penthouses enclosed HVAC equipment for each of the school four wings. The existing elevator and stair tower were extended an additional floor up to the main penthouse. In this largest of the penthouses, a lightweight fiberglass catwalk and railing system was designed around the equipment. The school intends for students enrolled in the HVAC and electrical programs to have an opportunity to inspect and observe the schools new functioning system…a real-life classroom above the classrooms! The penthouse walls were constructed with a steel frame extended from the original columns and lightweight insulated wall panels to minimize the additional load on the structure. In addition to major renovations such the roof replacement, entryway and mechanical systems, the project also included interior renovations throughout the building. Original doors, windows, ceilings, flooring, lighting and other elements were replaced. All student and faculty toilet rooms in the building were completely replaced with new ceramic tile floors and walls, partitions and ADA compliant fixtures. Considering it took over 30 years to undergo it’s first renovation, the building is now prepared to see many more generations of vocational students enter through it’s doors. |
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