MARY ELLEN HENDERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
“Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School was designed to support instruction and developmental needs of students grades 5-7.� Dr. Rochelle Friedman Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School Principal
Private Partnership Alliance In a partnership with the City of Falls Church Public Schools, the Architect/Developer team was selected to master plan a new 600 - student middle school in Falls Church, Virginia; Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School. As a part of PPA partnership, the team was selected to build a new school to house 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students with private funds using G.O. bonds. This innovative funding mechanism allowed the City of Falls Church to build a much needed middle school to relieve the overcrowding at George Mason High School. This was the one of the first Public/Private Partnership Act school projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Concept Massing Development The academic portion of the building is first viewed as a single, three-story mass with unity and efficiency. This mass is then divided reflecting the necessary grade-level separations within the building. The divided masses are then rejoined at their corners providing inter-floor connection with programmatic separation. Portions of the building which house extra curricular activities are then joined to the three-story mass at its base.
“As a survivor of many school renovation and construction projects, I am very pleased that this experience was a true joy thanks to … an outstanding construction team with wonderful problem solving skills and a real can-do attitude that overcame obstacles and kept this project on track to this successful completion we experience today. “ Mary Ellen Shaw Superintendent Emeritus
The Process The Architect evaluated the current and future
grade students in a facility which is directly
design based on the programmatic needs
needs of the school system based on their
adjacent to the existing George Mason High
of the school. A series of presentations were
educational specifications and designed
School. The proximity of the two schools allows
held with these groups to allow input and
the new building to meet those needs. The
the students, teachers, and administrators to
discussion during the design process, and to
nature of the public/private alliance allowed
share the resources of both facilities.
insure the end-user needs were being met.
the community at large to voice their opinions. Thus, several charrettes and meetings were
The Architect worked very closely with both
held to discuss the exterior and interior of the
the school staff and the Architect Selection
facility. The building houses 5th, 6th, and 7th
Advisory Committee (ASAC) to develop a
The Site The site was extremely tight. It was restricted by the proximity of the existing adjacent high school to the East and existing ball fields to the West. The site was also used as a landfill at an earlier time, requiring the use of densely compacted aggregate piers, called ‘Geopiers’ , to improve the soil bearing capacity. Excavation of the site included discovery of many interesting buried items, such as stacks of newspapers and remnants of an 1940’s automobile. .
“During the summer and into fall, I watched the steel rise out of that hole and the building come under cover. While it was thrilling and sometimes nerve-wracking, everything went remarkably smoothly.” Dr. Lois Berlin Superintendent
Play Field
Baseball Field
Tennis Courts Softball Field
New Middle School
Bus Parking
Existing George Mason High School
Main Entrance
0
32’
64’
128’
N
Route 7/Leesburg Pike
“The PPA enabled us to built the school in record time and help ensure the school would not exceed Guarantee Maximum Price.” Kathy Chandler School Board Chairman
THIRD FLOOR PLAN
8’ 16’
32’
N
0
Technology Education Classroom Media Center 5th Grade Small Learning Community 6th Grade Small Learning Community 7th Grade Small Learning Community Administrative Storage & Utility
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
Small Learning Communities Each of the grades’ classrooms are assembled around a widened corridor gathering area. This area serves as the core for that grade’s small learning community. These are separated from one another and finished with distinct forms and colors.
Third Floor Plan The individual grades components are grouped together as closely as possible, with administrator or counselor on the same floor. The second and third floors have small guidance counselor and secretarial administrative spaces to provide ready-student access for each grade and supervision for each floor.
Second Floor Plan The heating and cooling system is designed and zoned for after-hour’s use of activity areas without conditioning the whole building. The media center on the second floor is one such after-hours space. It is conveniently located toward the front of the building next on the elevators.
Main Entrance Hallway
Black Box Theater
Gym Below
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
8’ 16’
32’
N
0
Classroom Specialty Education Spaces Administrative Storage & Utility
“As you tour our building, you will see… areas that support career Tech Ed programs that offer unlimited possibilities, an inviting library, visual performing art programs that allows every child to shine...” Dr. Rochelle Friedman Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School Principal Gallery Corridor
Cafetorium
First Floor Plan The building was designed to permit the separation of the extra curricular facilities from the educational areas. This allows for first floor access to the gymnasium, cafeteria, and administrative center to be opened and used by the community for recreational/ educational purposes while the remainder of the school is closed.
“… a physical educational facility that truly encourages life-long learning.” Dr. Rochelle Friedman Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School Principal
Cellar The building was designed to allow for the numerous after-school and community activities that take place in a middle school. The philosophy of teams was implemented to foster an atmosphere of cohesion by grade level. The design of the building necessitated grouping the three grade levels in separate areas mingling only in the hallways as they travel to support spaces such as the cafeteria, media center, gyms, art, music, home economics, and technical labs. The gymnasium and cafeteria have direct access from the exterior to facilitate use by the community. Each grade level grouping has easy access to the media center, gym, music, etc. to minimize travel distances. Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School is regularly used by the community, providing a new shared Gymnasium for both High School and Middle School sports events.
CELLAR FLOOR PLAN First Floor Above 8’
16’
32’
N
0
Classroom Specialty Education Spaces Administrative Storage & Utility
“… BeeyrRio made the mystery of construction transparent and worked so well with the school system and with each other to make this building a reality.” Dr. Lois Berlin Superintendent
Building Data Location of School Falls Church City Type of School Middle School Grades Served 5-7 Capacity (# of students) 600 Size of Site 34.46 acres Area of Building 129,000 sf Square Feet per Student 215 sf Square Foot Cost $155 Cost of Construction $20,000,000 Total Project Cost $20,000,000 Contract Date July 2003 Completion Date September 2005 Percent Complete 100%
8001 Braddock Road, 4th Floor Springfield, Virginia 22151 T. 703.426.9057 www.beeryrio.com