The following districts presented on the progress of their proposed project at the January 15, 2025 Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) Facilities Assessment Subcommittee (the “FAS”) Meeting:
Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical School District
Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: PMA Consultants, LLC.
Designer: HMFH Architects, Inc.
The Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical School District (the “District”), the Owner’s Project Manager, and design team presented an overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District’s preferred solution to proceed into Schematic Design to replace the existing Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School with a new facility serving students grades 9-12 on the existing site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed the following: appreciation of the District’s Educational Program and the updates made since the original submission; distribution of special education spaces and DESE review process; the importance of professional development and adequate dedicated time for collaboration between vocational and academic teachers; number and location of proposed lavatories; proposed second floor location of Art and other programs with proximity to first floor performance/display areas and appropriate floor-to-floor access; appreciation for the relationship between the indoor and outdoor spaces; intention to maintain the nature and rural character of the site; benefits of touring completed facilities for insight and lessons learned as it relates to cafeteria acoustics; opportunities to engage with other vocational schools to understand how students have been involved in various aspects of the projects; using the Educational Program as a resource for community outreach; sustainability and storm water management considerations; and, interdisciplinary opportunities for student involvement during the design and construction process such as creation of a portfolio.
Town of Lexington
Lexington High School
Current Phase: Feasibility Study
Owner’s Project Manager: Dore & Whittier Management Partners, Inc.
Designer: Symmes Maini & McKee Associates, Inc.
The Town of Lexington (the “District”), the Owner’s Project Manager, and design team presented an overview of the options studied during the Feasibility Study and the District’s preferred solution to proceed into Schematic Design for an addition and renovation of the existing Lexington High School on the existing site. The FAS, MSBA staff, and the District discussed the following: appreciation of the District's educational program; inclusion of the LABBB collaborative; distribution of Special Education spaces and DESE review process; current and future projected enrollment and resulting considerations for the proposed project as it relates to building utilization, capacity of core spaces and accommodating potential fluctuations in enrollment; proximity of the proposed building to the existing high school and associated constructability and safety considerations; proposed expansion and renovation of the high school’s existing fieldhouse in addition to construction of a new gymnasium; design intention and connectivity between floors; interior circulation and the experience of students while progressing through the building and across connecting bridges; the character and function of the multiple building entrances; the facade of the building and potential exterior material choices; building massing, geometry and refinement of the overall footprint including relationship to the existing field house; opportunities for continued student and faculty feedback and involvement as the design progresses; proposed use, programming, and further design of the Commons space including its capacity to serve as the cafeteria and accommodate enrollment fluctuations; sustainable design considerations including incorporation of geothermal wells and photovoltaic arrays; maintenance considerations associated with the proposed third floor courtyard; intended use of the third-floor courtyard and correlated program in the educational plan; estimated project costs and associated cost drivers; past, present, and future community outreach and engagement; and, the overall complexity of the proposed project and potential benefits for the District of additional time within Feasibility Study for further refinement of the Preferred Schematic design.
