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The design of the new school takes advantage of orientation to maximize natural lighting for energy savings and educational enhancement while reducing glare.
Client
Independent School District 88
Owner
New Ulm Public Schools
Location
New Ulm, MN
Services
Markets
Solutions
Status
Complete
Completion Year
2016
Cost
$36,000,000
As part of a facility analysis and planning project, Wendel worked with a 40-person community task force to determine the facility needs of the district. The lack of available land for expansion led to the concept of constructing of a new High School on a new site with grade realignment in the three existing buildings.
Wendel developed plans for a new 760-student High School. The design of the new school takes advantage of orientation to maximize natural lighting for energy savings and educational enhancement while reducing glare. Relatively cost effective yet durable building materials were also chosen for ease of maintenance.
A significant part of the project was the construction of a new athletic complex adjacent to the school.
Previously, football and baseball games were played at a city park across town from the school, so the new complex not only consolidated activities on one site, it greatly reduced travel and rental expenses for the district, and provided facilities capable of hosting conference and regional events. Work included:
During planning and design of the school and athletic complex, it was decided to include toilets and concessions facilities in the school building that were accessible from both the interior and exterior for better efficiency.
PROJECT RELEVANCE
Under budget and ahead of schedule
New construction/site selection and analysis
Energy efficiency and sustainability – natural daylighting; water conservation, durable, easy-to-maintain materials and systems.
Project elements:
After completion of a new high school designed by Wendel, New Ulm Schools worked with local businesses and the Economic Development Authority to create programs that would train students for relevant careers. The new high school included a foods lab, graphics lab and robotics lab, as well as traditional ‘shop’ spaces, but the district wanted to create a facility that would let them expand their curriculum to better meet the needs of local business.
Wendel worked with the district to create a space needs program and then identify possible buildings to convert. The chosen site was a former manufacturing facility that had recently relocated. The layout is intended to provide for flexibility as industry needs evolve.
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