Building Statistics

General Building Data:

Project Team:

Building Name: Altoona Area High School, “B” Building

Location: Altoona PA

Building Occupant Name: Altoona Area School District

Occupancy type: Single occupancy: Education

Size: 239,233 SF

Number of stories above ground: 3

Total levels: 4

Actual Building Height: 48’-8"

Dates of construction: Start May 2018, expected completion June 2021

Cost Info: 88 million

Owner | Altoona School District
Architect | KCBA Architects
Construction Manager | Reynolds Enterprises
General Contractor | J.C. Orr
Electrical Contractor | Farfeild Electric
Mechanical Contractor | Farfield HVAC
Plumbing Contractor | Jay R Reynolds
Fire Protection | W.S Spaeder
Abatement | R.L. Abatement
Casework | Northeastern Interiors

Architecture

The new “B” building is only one part of the 88 million dollar expansion project for the Altoona school district. The existing Altoona Area High School is a 395,000 SF facility that serves a student population of roughly 1,650. The complex consists of two buildings are linked by an enclosed pedestrian bridge. The “A” Building was built in 1972 and is home to the gym, natatorium, and classrooms. the existing “B” Building, which was built in 1927, contains more classrooms, an auditorium, and the district offices. The plan that was eventually developed entails the closure of the existing “B” building and conversion of that property to athletic fields, construction of a major new structure is set to house all of the “B” building functions as well as additional classrooms and learning common. A selection of innovative program spaces in the new “B” building include a performance theater; art classrooms; a business center; STEM maker spaces; two commons, one for STEM and the other for arts and business; an outdoor classroom; a work yard; and a rooftop greenhouse. Despite the age of the area, there were no historical requirements for this project. The image to the right shows the two existing buildings as well as the location of the new B building.

Building Enclosure:

Building Facade:

The facade for the new high school is a combination of various wall types. The most prevalent of which is a typical brick veneer with a steel stud wall supporting it. In the lower sections of the building the same brick veneer is used, but with a concrete wall construction. In other places, a composite metal panel system is used, like the brick veneer it is also supported by a steel stud wall. The design features large areas of aluminum curtain walls. All these wall types can be seen in the figures below.

Roofing:

Just like the exterior walls, the roof is also comprised of different enclosures. Above the auditorium, a more acoustical friendly design is used. Of course both share the same metal decking, insulation board, and EPDM membrane. The difference can be seen in the thickness of the rigid insulation and the acoustical roof uses a water resistant fiber board. The two figures below are the roof sections taken directly from the drawings.

Sustainability:

This project is not aiming for LEED certification. However there are still some sustainability features included in the design. As previously mentioned, there will be a section on the roof set aside to become a greenhouse. Additionally, an underground stormwater retention system is planned to be installed under the parking. After completion, the district will have the option to install solar panels above the auditorium, the structure was designed to support the panels, and the electrical plans call for conduits to run from the roof to the basement electrical room. The design of the building itself includes atrium spaces that allow natural light to enter from the roof, as well as large windows in each classroom. While LEED certification was not the goal, there are still some sustainability features integrated.