Cabot Elementary School

OVERVIEW

The Cabot Elementary School project consisted of the complete renovation of a 1929 landmark building and the construction of three new additions within an aggressive 22-month construction schedule. W.T. Rich managed the demolition of the 1957 and 1990 additions before constructing a three-story classroom addition as well as library and gymnasium additions. Construction of the 81,500 SF school was completed on time and on budget despite being located on a highly confined work site adjacent to an active park and athletic fields.

HIGHLIGHTS & CHALLENGES

• The existing building required an updated mechanical system but had inadequate space to accommodate a new system. W.T. Rich was faced with modifying the structure to create vertical chases and closely coordinated vertical runouts. Components of the existing structure also had to be repaired and replaced.

• Cabot’s Humpty Dumtpy statue has maintained significant importance to the school and community since it was donated when the original building was constructed in 1929. The statue was worn down and missing components upon construction of the new building, so W.T. Rich coordinated with its precast subcontractor to rebuild and recreate the statue by using old photos.

• W.T. Rich was faced with managing the reconstruction of the almost 100-year-old culvert that ran beneath the building while implementing new underground utilities. The 10-foot-wide, five-foot-tall culvert was falling apart and not in a suitable or safe enough condition to support the weight of the new structure.

• The new building’s finishes consist of extensive millwork packages and custom windows that needed to match the profile of the original 1929 building.