Balfour Beatty breaks ground on Montgomery Middle School expansion project
The US-based subsidiary of Balfour Beatty Construction has broken ground on $20.7 million Montgomery Middle School expansion project of Sweetwater Union High School District in California.
Designed by LPA Architects, the project involves construction of five new buildings, which will be spread over 37,500 square feet. The new buildings will include two, double-storey classroom buildings, which will together accommodate 18 classrooms. The other facilities to be accommodated into the buildings will consist of a counseling centre, library, cafeteria and covered lunch area.
The project also involves demolition of several existing buildings, including classrooms, a cafeteria and library.
The building is being aspired for LEED Platinum certification. It will feature several sustainable elements, which consist of thermal displacement ventilation system, low-flow restroom fixtures, landscaped bio-swales, drought-resistant native plants, and light-coloured roofing and outdoor surfaces, which will reduce heat island effect.
The project has been funded through a $19 million grant in Prop O funds. The remaining cost will be met by State School Facility Program. Construction on the project is expected to complete by mid-2013.
