Construction Begins on the New Portsmouth Middle School
The Portsmouth Middle School Joint Building Committee has approved a design for the $37.5 million renovation of the 80yearold Middle School that incorporates “green” features and expands the footprint to 130,000 square feet.
The design was developed by Jim LaPosta and Doug Roberts of Connecticut based JCJ Architecture, and associate architect Lisa DeStefano of locally based DeStefano Architects.
The design team created the following project goals:
- Create a dynamic, studentcentered learning environment with a variety of teaching areas.
- Preserve existing building elements while weaving a new architecture into the site
- Condense the new addition footprint to maximize open space on the site
- Provide transparency to activate the facility and reinforce the connection to the surrounding community
How Do We Build a Portsmouth Middle School that’s Good for the Environment…. and Our Children?
The Portsmouth Middle School Joint Building Committee is committed to ensuring that the expanded and renovated Portsmouth Middle School incorporates environmentally sustainable features, such as:
- Using “green” materials in the construction
- Improving the energy efficiency of the 80yearold building
- Improving water efficiency
- Using renewable energy whenever possible
- Improving the indoor environment for students and teachers, thus increasing opportunities for a positive learning environment.
To meet these goals, the project follows the guidelines of the Northeast Collaborative for High Performance Schools, which were developed based on the climate zones and school construction needs of New Hampshire and other Northeastern states. The PMS project will be the first to follow the updated, 2.0 version of NECHPS, which is comparable to LEED certification for other buildings.
“High performance schools provide high quality learning environments, conserve natural resources, consume less energy, are easier to maintain, and provide an enhanced community resource,” according to NECHPS New Construction and Major Renovations, Version 2.0, October 2009.
In addition to creating a topnotch and environmentally sustainable facility, NECHPS certification will result in Portsmouth receiving an additional 3% in building aid from the State of New Hampshire.
To view design plans and project photos go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/newportsmouthmiddleschool/
