Alice Harte Charter School
Additional Info
Award Winner : M Space Holdings LLC
Cost Energy Effectiveness : The temporary campus was constructed to meet the updated International Energy Conservation Code and is the first modular campus in Louisiana to meet ASHRAE. Energy efficient T-5 electronic ballasts were installed to provide the lighting inside the buildings, while lights controlled by photocells were installed on the exterior of the buildings and on the grounds. In addition, dual glazed, low E glass windows were used. These windows reduce heat loss from the building and reduce HVAC costs. Steel insulated doors were used which reduce the amount of heat loss and gain. Each classroom is equipped with individual heating and cooling units and programmable thermostats were installed allowing heat or conditioned air to be adjusted based on the location of the occupants, further saving energy and costs.
Design Firm Name : KVS Architecture
Occupied Date : 7/31/2011
Production Start Date : 4/6/2011
Project Location City : New Orleans
Project Location State Name : LA
Technical Innovation : Considering that the buildings were for temporary use, M Space engineered the buildings to meet the code for several neighboring states, creating more flexibility for future use. The building was wired for the use of smart boards, a security alarm system and a public address intercom. Each classroom has Hardi-panel wainscoting, which is durable and prevents typical wear and tear. This added feature looks nice and protects the walls, keeping them in great condition.
The kitchen building is a fully functional stand-alone facility, which is unique for this type of project. It includes walk-in freezers and coolers along with all of the necessary equipment to service the entire charter school population on site. In order to support the heavy equipment the floor load of the building was increased to 75 psf. Lastly, hurricane impact-resistant windows were installed to protect against strong winds and debris, a safety feature appreciated by students and teachers.
Total Square Feet : 52256
Architectural Excellence : Orleans Parish School District was in need of a temporary campus location for Alice Harte Charter School. The school’s original building, constructed in 1956, was torn down to make way for a new state-of-the-art facility. The school district had just finished working with M Space on a similar project at their High School and turned to them for a solution to this project. M Space provided the school district with a full-service design-build solution. The school district provided the number of students the campus needed to accommodate and M Space handled the rest. The end result was over 50,000 square feet of classroom, administrative, kitchen and cafeteria space. Canopies and walkways were installed to connect each building so the students could safely travel from one to another. A 10x250 canopy was also installed in the bus loading area to protect the students from the elements when getting on and off the bus.