Skanska USA contracted to build $34.5 million school in Andover, Mass.

Skanska USA has signed a $34.5 million contract to provide construction management services for the construction of Bancroft Elementary School, a public school. The project includes the construction of a new 106,486 s/f building adjacent to the existing Bancroft Elementary School that first opened in 1969. The new building will accommodate 680 students and will include classrooms, administrative space, as well as a library, gymnasium, playfield and cafeteria. The town is seeking LEED Silver certification for the school by incorporating various sustainable elements into the project's design, such as rainwater harvesting systems, extensive recycling of building materials, daylighting, energy-efficient building systems and energy monitoring systems to provide students and staff with an enhanced environment while decreasing operating costs for the town. The energy monitoring systems will also have an interface for students to interact with and learn about how buildings use energy. "Our work at Bancroft Elementary will exemplify Skanska's ability to complete a high-quality, sustainable structure in a K-12 setting," said Paul Hewins, executive vice president and general manger for Skanska's New England region. "We are seeing similar opportunities on the horizon as many towns in Massachusetts are looking to upgrade their schools to become more energy efficient and environmentally friendly." The project will be built in three phases. The first phase includes the construction of a new access roadway, temporary parking and play areas, and site work, which has been underway through the course of this summer. Phase Two will involve building the new school, including its utilities, access road and parking facilities all while the existing school is fully operational. Phase Three will include the demolition of the existing 65,000 s/f Bancroft Elementary School building and 4,500 s/f of modular classrooms, as well as the removal of hazardous materials, the construction of new playfields and the completion of all site work. The project commenced this summer, and is scheduled for completion in November 2014. The architect is Symmes Maini & McKee Associates and the owner's project manager is Dore & Whittier. This is not the first time Skanska USA has constructed an environmentally friendly grade school in New England. In 2010, Skanska was awarded a contract to rebuild The Wellington Elementary School in Belmont, Mass. This project included the demolition of the existing two and three-story structures, and the construction of a new building configured into two buildings connected by a one-story core that houses administrative offices, music rooms and a media center. The school, which officially opened in the fall of 2011, is pursuing certification through the Mass. Collaborative for High Performance Schools (MA-CHPS), a certification that is comparable to LEED Silver.