In January 2011 the Bronxville Board of Education approved a new five-year capital plan, based on the building conditions survey conducted by our architects, KG&D. In addition to infrastructure improvements, the plan envisioned renovations of the School's auditorium and Middle School science labs. The Board then authorized our architects to work with the facilities committee to complete schematic designs for these renovations. Erik Kaeyer and Erik Wilson of KG&D presented those designs to the Board at this month's meeting.
The next steps in the process will be to develop a financing plan -- including private sources, obtain Board and voter approval for the projects, complete design development, and get state approval.
Auditorium Renovations
After ten years of feasibility studies and discussion, a plan to renovate the School's auditorium has emerged with strong support from the District's facilities committee. Board members, school officials, faculty, parents, and PTA and Foundation representatives comprise the committee. Earlier plans, sidetracked by the 2007 flood, have been substantially revised to address concerns about seating capacity, aesthetics, and the multifaceted use of the space for teaching, performance, and assembly.
The district assembled a design team to develop the plan, including our architects (KG&D), theater consultants (Theater Projects), acousticians (Acoustic Dimensions), and various other engineering and equipment specialists. Beginning this past September, the team reviewed usage patterns, analyzed survey results, and tested various designs before creating the final plan. This plan involves gutting the interior space in order to make a number of major, significant improvements to the facility:
- Improved sight lines and acoustics.
- Seating capacity for 508, encompassing larger seats and more space between rows for reasons of both comfort and egress.
- A side lobby that greatly improves access and traffic patterns, including a access to the band room.
- Restoration of the original windows and harmony with the building's internal and exterior architecture
- Air conditioning.
Upgrading Middle School Science Labs
District architects KG&D also presented a schematic design for renovating Middle School Science labs. Working with the School's science teachers, the architects developed a plan to enlarge classrooms, modernize cabinets and lab stations, and improve seating configuration, storage, and space for students to work on longer term projects. The existing labs have not been updated for at least forty years. If approved by voters, the renovation cost is estimated at $2.1 million.
District architects KG&D also presented a schematic design for renovating Middle School Science labs. Working with the School's science teachers, the architects developed a plan to enlarge classrooms, modernize cabinets and lab stations, and improve seating configuration, storage, and space for students to work on longer term projects. The existing labs have not been updated for at least forty years. If approved by voters, the renovation cost is estimated at $2.1 million.
To see the schematic designs, click here. For a more complete presentation to a group, make an email request to David Quattrone.
