W.T. Rich - Norton High School

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Established in 1968 by Walter T. Rich, the firm continues to operate with excellence, reliability, and integrity under CEO, Jon Rich.

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Norton High School

OVERVIEW

The Norton High School project consisted of the comprehensive renovation of the existing 130,000 SF high school and the addition of a new 27,000 SF cafeteria and science wing. The scope of the addition included five, state-of-the-art science and laboratory classrooms, including separate laboratory prep rooms, a complete laboratory waste system, acid neutralization system, fume hoods, and energy recovery units for the exhausted air supply. The new addition was the first phase of work and was expedited to create swing space for the renovation work phases. The renovation scope of work included a comprehensive replacement of all mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment and systems.

The new addition was completed on time and within budget on February 15, 2013, allowing the school to move in over February school vacation. The remaining high school areas achieved full occupancy and operation of all classrooms and support spaces by November 2013 – one month in advance of the December 2013 deadline.

HIGHLIGHTS

New construction of state-of-the-art academic and dining facilities
Full preconstruction and value engineering services
Phased, occupied renovation
Early construction package for demolition, abatement, foundations and structural steel
Confined worksite with limited laydown area
Proper management of school’s existing parking and traffic
MBE/WBE targets achieved
LEED Silver Certification
BIM-based MEP coordination

Project Information

Location: Norton, MA

Completion: 2013

Contract Value: $28.3 million

Size: 157,000 SF

Type: Addition and Renovation

Owner: Town of Norton

Designer: JCJ Architecture, Boston, MA

Delivery Method: CM-at-Risk (M.G.L. Chapter 149A)

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CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS

Occupied Construction – The high school was occupied and fully operational throughout the school year. W.T. Rich worked in partnership with the designer and owner to create and deliver a proper phasing approach for the project to ensure continuity of systems in the occupied school areas
Large Scope with a Limited Construction Budget – W.T. Rich spearheaded an extensive value engineering effort and conducted aggressive scoping and buyout on behalf of the owner, ultimately achieving $3 million in cost savings and establishing a GMP that met the owner’s budgetary requirements
Limited Change Order Budget – W.T. Rich worked diligently throughout the project to ensure that potential changes orders were mitigated to the greatest extent possible
Site Logistics Constraints – W.T. Rich implemented a site logistics plan that avoided any adverse impact on the school’s existing operations
Intensive Summer Work Period - During the summer of 2013, over 50,000 square feet of the existing school was renovated over a ten-week period
Structural / Shoring Expertise – New openings in existing corridor bearing walls required significant engineered shoring systems that were utilized during the intensive summer 2013 work period

RESULTS

W.T. Rich was able to work in partnership with the project team to complete the project with outstanding results. The owner’s and design team’s feedback on W.T. Rich’s performance has been exceptional.

“From the earliest days of their involvement with the Norton High School project, WT Rich engrossed themselves in this challenging and complex project. The fact that they could construct a new addition, completely renovate the existing school and install new mechanical, electrical, plumbing and sprinkler systems to a facility that was 100% occupied and without the students or the programs being interrupted by even one day was truly amazing. Their organized approach to planning, communication, and safety, and their ability to execute their plan flawlessly made the process easy for all involved.”

Deborah Marai, Project Manager
Pinck & Co.
Norton High School Addition & Renovation Project

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“From the earliest days of their involvement with the Norton High School project, WT Rich engrossed themselves in this challenging and complex project. The fact that they could construct a new addition, completely renovate the existing school and install new mechanical, electrical, plumbing and sprinkler systems to a facility that was 100% occupied and without the students or the programs being interrupted by even one day was truly amazing. Their organized approach to planning, communication, and safety, and their ability to execute their plan flawlessly made the process easy for all involved.”

Deborah Marai, Project Manager
Pinck & Co.
Norton High School Addition & Renovation Project
“From the onset of their involvement at Norton High School, W. T. Rich was a proactive, collaborative and dependable member of the Project Team. Excellent communicators, their correspondence, and submittals were always clear and concise, which allowed for faster review and response. When issues did arise, they immediately brought solutions to the table as part of the discussion. Sensitive to the design intentions and the needs of the end users, no compromises in project quality were made. Undertaking a multi-phased construction project in a fully occupied, 700-student high school can only be described as a logistical nightmare, and W T. Rich planned and executed the work superbly.”

Jeffrey K. Elliott, AIA
JCJ Architecture
Norton High School Addition and Renovation Project

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1075 Worcester Street, Suite 310, Natick, MA 01760

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50 Dunham Ridge Road, Suite G200, Beverly, MA 01915

617-467-6010 | wtrich@wtrich.com

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