Attachments

20241120-191527-72e-PresentationAPMAPerkinsEastmanUpdate.pdf

The design aesthetics, both inside and out, of the new Mt. Hope High School are becoming clearer and more realistic as seen during the most recent update on the project given to the Bristol Warren Regional School Committee during its November 18 meeting.

At the forum, the body received a presentation from the district's owner project manager, PMA Consultants, and its architects, Perkins Eastman, which provided greater detail to some of the concepts behind the design of the approximately $157 million structure.

Chris Loeffler, of PMA, reminded the committee the project is in "the 60 percent construction document phase, which is the details of the interior and exterior of the building."

Loeffler said recent engagements between the parties included receiving initial master plan approvals from the respective Bristol and Warren Planning Boards as well as meetings with user groups, building committee meetings, a check-in with the Rhode Island Department of Education and the drilling of geothermal test wells on the Chestnut Street site.

Of the always-important gathering with RIDE, held the earlier in the day November 18, Loeffler said it was "very positive" and that "things are going well" with the state administrators.

He continued, the next step in the local process is the submission of preliminary plans to each town planning board in early January.

Loeffler next turned the presentation over to Mark McCarthy, a principal at Perkins Eastman, and his associate, Nel Daws.

McCarthy began his remarks by calling the Bristol Planning Board's recent decision to approve the installation of artificial turf at the reconfigured athletics field, "good news"

He then turned to the design of the two-story structure, saying he and his team used the idea of a "village" as its focal point.

McCarthy said the bringing together of the two communities — Bristol and Warren — into a "village square" was the basis for how the building is organized and flows.

He added the central idea for the school, which is being built to house around 800 students, is to create a sense of "community" and "connectivity."

McCarthy further explained the exterior brick colors, which have been criticized by some, being considered are a "neutral palate."

The large windows included are to allow for significant natural light to enter the school.

He also said the design includes hurricane resistance structural features due its location near Narragansett Bay.

As well, McCarthy said the design will highlight the creek on the grounds. Its edges will enhanced. The building will be constructed about 80 feet away the creek.

About the interior colors, Daws said designers took their cues from the "green ways and blue ways of Rhode Island."

Mt. Hope's feature color, purple, is the starting point from which those used be around the building will augment. It is the predominant color in the gym, of marquee signage and will be the shade of the auditorium seats.

Going deeper inside the building, Daws said the quieter calmer areas will utilize less intense hues while other spaces have "supporting" colors of grays, blues, greens and rusts (orange/reds).

Of the actual interior design, Daws explained once past the secure vestibule at the entrance of the building is an airy and expansive main lobby/foyer.

The cafeteria, again, is a grand, open area, which Daws described as being the "heart of the school...an all-day space."

The media center/library is on the second floor and also is large enough to congregate, though with several pockets of more intimate gathering spots.

In the gymnasium, to be used for physical education classes as well, there's a main court for basketball and volleyball along with three other courts for practice and instruction.

McCarthy noted there's much to be determined as far as the actual design and placement of the Huskies' logos and colors on the basketball court and walls.

The auditorium, Daws said, is designed to seat 400, with an emphasis on the acoustics required for the different uses like assemblies, concerts, plays and lectures.

In concluding their remarks, McCarthy reiterated as has happened throughout the process all of the design elements have included much consultation and coordination with building staff.

Discussions about the new Mt. Hope High School continues at the next building committee meeting scheduled to take place Thursday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. in the Reynolds School.