After a spirited design competition, Architecture
FURST was awarded the commission to design the new $48 million Broughal Middle School
by the Bethlehem Area School District.
The 900 student middle school will replace an aging, outdated facility with a
new science and technology themed school. The project has been designed to
achieve a silver rating under the U.S. Green Building Council, Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines.
The building's design makes strong references to
modern materials while effectively fulfilling functional requirements. Sited on
only 4.2 acres, it required a design concept that would maintain the existing
school in a fully functional state for 2 years while being built. The exterior
shell design is divided into 4 distinct volumes to reduce its impact on the
surrounding neighborhood. The top floor is designed with a rooftop green house
but can also be expanded to add additional classrooms in the future. The plan is
organized around a north/south 4 story atrium that holds a monumental staircase
and views from each floor to the exterior. Surrounding the atrium are three
floors of academic grades, physical education and related arts wings. The
auditorium and its entrance holds a predominate place on a major intersection
that welcomes students, residents and the bypassing public.
The 4 story, 186,000 square foot school includes an underground 105 car parking
garage, rooftop greenhouse and planetarium along with state of the art science
labs and smart classrooms. The building envelope consists of highly insulated
walls and roof, high performance glazing providing significant day lighting.
Also provided is storm water harvesting storage tank in the main atrium and an
interactive web based data retrieval software program for use by the public,
faculty and students. The building's high efficiency mechanical and electrical
design offers an exceptionally high degree of flexibility to meet unanticipated
and constantly changing future needs. Common support facilities such as
administrative offices, general classrooms, gymnasium, arts, music and other
educational spaces are also provided. In tribute to the existing building that
will be demolished to make room for a full size athletic field, the new
auditorium includes design features that pay tribute to the historic elements
of that early 20th century building. The building also contains a FamilyCenter
that provides domestic and medical services to the local community.
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