Brown Elementary School

Additional Info

Award Winner : Triumph Modular

Architectural Excellence : Brown Elementary School in Natick sought to add six modular classrooms to address rising enrollment. The school called upon Triumph to add a 7,035 square-foot wing to house six first grade modular classrooms and restroom facilities. Working with Lincoln Architects on a design to seamlessly integrate the project with the existing school, Triumph built a 700 square-foot enclosed connector to lead to the new wing. The facade of the addition is comprised of varying sized square and rectangular Hardiepanels ® with aluminum extrusions that were custom painted to match the building’s natural brick exterior. Perhaps the most prominent design feature of the new classrooms are the round windows, six feet in diameter, designed to maximize natural light.
The end result was a sleek, geometric design that complements the original brick building while providing a more modern look and feel.

Cost Energy Effectiveness : The relocatable building, which was set on permanent foundation, proved to be more cost-effective than traditional stick-build construction. The rapid turnaround time made possible by the modular construction process allowed the avoidance of work during the harsh New England winter months and reduced the amount of onsite construction during the school year.

The project adhered to a strict timeline to ensure that students and teachers were not disrupted during the academic year. The remodeling and custom design of the modular units were part of the 60% of the project that was constructed offsite. All eight modular units were set on a Saturday and were weatherized before school resumed on Monday. The foundation and brushed metal trim were set during the summer, and the building was turned over in mid-August. This ambitious completion date provided adequate time for teachers to settle into their new classrooms before the academic year commenced.

Design Firm Name : Lincoln Architects

Engineering Firm Name : Engineering Alliance

Installer Firm Name : Triumph Modular

Occupied Date : 8/15/2016

Owner Firm Name : Town of Natick

Production Start Date : 4/15/2016

Project Location City : Natick

Project Location State Name : MA

Technical Innovation : The origin of the Brown Elementary School addition was part of a 38-piece modular elementary school located in nearby Needham, Massachusetts. The painting, remodeling and complete buildout of the units prior to the relocation were performed offsite in Triumph’s construction yard.

The surfaces, materials, and colors used provide vibrancy while also promoting health, sustainability, functionality and hygienic ease of maintenance. An efficient, roof-mounted HVAC system with allergen killing capability provides a comfortable learning environment in all temperatures while minimizing operating cost. The building’s floor, wall, and ceiling systems were designed to limit sound transfer between rooms and dampen sound reverberation. Aesthetically, the building’s geometric façade is carried through to the inside through floor tiles that echo the exterior color elements to provide continuity.

Total Square Feet : 7035