Over 20 years ago A.P. Construction, a construction management and general contracting firm, identified education construction as a growing sector and has since completed over 50 projects totaling $500 million in the Connecticut and Westchester County, N.Y. markets.
"Whether it's building a new school or renovating an existing, the trends have positioned schools to become more energy efficient, make better use of space and be more comfortable and conducive to learning. We are proud to have served so many communities though the construction of school facilities which benefit the students, surrounding communities and future generations," said Nick Everett, executive vice president of A.P. Construction Company."
A.P. Construction's most recent education projects include the addition and renovation of Trumbull High School in Trumbull, the new science classroom wing and parking lot expansion at The Whitby School in Greenwich, the new school structure, additions, and interior and exterior renovation at Greens Farm Academy in Westport, and the building of a four-classroom addition along with interior renovations at Naramake Elementary School for the Norwalk public school district.
The addition and renovation of Trumbull High School was a "renovate as new," four-year, multi-phased, 330,000 s/f project, that was performed under occupied conditions. Renovations included updating all classrooms, science labs, shops, faculty spaces, media center, cafeteria and kitchen, locker rooms, bathrooms, gyms and public spaces. This project was constructed in 10 major phases with the bulk of the work occurring in the summers, to accommodate the ongoing educational program.
A.P. Construction was hired by The Whitby School in Greenwich, to complete a 6,200 s/f project for a new science classroom wing and parking lot expansion. This marked the third project A.P. Construction completed for the school over the past 11 years. All three projects combined totaled over 65,000 s/f.
"A.P. utilized meetings, meeting minutes and formal discussions to solve all potential and existing problems on the job. They responded to us in a very expedient fashion and identified specific items in need of attention to make the job progress smoothly. They did a great job working around our class schedules and events while constructing our outstanding science wing," said Tom Coleman, director of facilities of Whitby School.
Greens Farm Academy has hired A.P. Construction for 13 projects since 1999 which combined, totaled over 150,000 s/f. The projects have included: new school structures, additions, interior and exterior renovations and site work. A.P. Construction's most recent projects completed before 2013 included a new performing arts building, science classrooms and middle/upper school classrooms. A.P. Construction is currently assisting with the planning for a new center for arts and global studies to break ground this year.
A majority of A.P. Construction's educational work is performed under occupied conditions. "What's key to managing projects without interrupting the day-to-day activities of the school is to plan and implement programs that ensure student safety and protection of ongoing school operations which A.P. Construction takes very seriously while achieving the desired completion date," said Everett.
The city of Norwalk hired A.P. Construction for a 17,000 s/f addition and renovation project at the Naramake Elementary School. A.P. Construction is building a four classroom addition with a basement along with interior renovations in an occupied school. Renovations include two new boilers which require installing a new HVAC, plumbing and electrical infrastructure through the existing main corridor to the new addition while school is occupied. Completion of this project is expected for September.
In addition, the city of Norwalk has hired A.P. Construction for a similar addition and renovation project at the Rowayton Elementary School of 30,000 s/f.
Specializing in both private and public schools, A.P. Construction has completed a diverse range of education projects that include facility renovations for day care to higher education, new structures and additions to occupied facilities and site improvements and upgrades that range from specific rooms such as a science laboratory to an entirely new high school campus.
A.P. Construction continues to expand its education portfolio through schools they have worked with and new schools planning for construction.