HMFH Architects commissioned for seven new educational projects

HMFH Architects has been selected for seven new project commissions in the past six months. The commissions are located throughout New England and reflect HMFH's core commitment to advancing education. "In these challenging economic times, we are grateful to have the trust of the communities and clients we serve," said George Metzger, AIA, president of HMFH. "A common thread in these commissions is HMFH's commitment to design excellence that combines academic innovation with a responsible use of resources. Investing in sound design for our schools strengthens and supports the long-term economic viability of our communities." Two projects include site, facility and economic analysis to investigate how to best provide elementary education resources for their communities. They are: Thompson Elementary School, Arlington, Mass. HMFH was selected to develop options for a new or substantially renovated facility for this K-5 neighborhood school in Arlington. The feasibility study will include analysis of educational, program and community needs, as well as renovation feasibility compared to rebuilding. Rogers Elementary School, Fairhaven, Mass. HMFH will investigate three existing school buildings and their sites, including the historic Rogers Elementary School, to determine the best option for cost-effective, educational equity between schools town-wide. Two projects are follow-on contracts for the next stage of public approval. They are: Concord Elementary Schools, Concord, N.H. Following a bond authorization in December 2009, HMFH is designing three new elementary schools. The work includes a two-story school at the broken ground site to replace Dame and Eastman schools, a new Kimball School and a new Conant School. Carlisle Elementary School, Carlisle, Mass. In the town of Carlisle, HMFH is moving ahead with design and construction documents for a renovation and addition project for the elementary school. With the approved town vote, the schedule calls for a 14-month construction period to begin in January 2011. The project calls for renovation of the existing school to occur over two summers, and a two-story, 29,000 s/f building addition. The new addition will house grades PK-2 and also link the existing grade 3-8 building and core space, creating a revitalized 140,000 s/f elementary school campus for the town. Finally, three projects are comprehensive on-call service contracts for a wide range of smaller planning and design projects. They are: Chelsea Public Schools, Chelsea, Mass. Continuing HMFH's 15-year working relationship with the Chelsea Public Schools, this house doctor contract is part of a larger school doctor contract. HMFH will work with the owner's project manager, Jacobs Engineering, on projects with an educational component. UMass Amherst House Doctor, Amherst, Mass. HMFH was selected in a house doctor contract to address a wide range of building and planning needs at the UMass Amherst campus, including athletic facilities, classrooms and other teaching facilities, offices, student residences and recreational facilities. Cambridge House Doctor, Cambridge, Mass. This house doctor contract includes facilities and planning needs for the public schools in the city.