As a long-time Barrie advocate, Kramer managed multiple projects such as master planning and special exception applications, a turf field, Research Learning Lab / Learning Studio, and the renovation of Rothschild Hall.
Barrie School
Location
Washington, DC
Building for Educational Opportunities
Located in Silver Spring, Maryland, Barrie School provides an extraordinary learning environment integrating local, national and global educational opportunities. Their 45-acre campus is home to the world-renowned Barrie Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies, one of the largest school-based teacher training programs in the country, and Barrie Camp – a Washington, D.C. area tradition since the 1950s. Barrie school serves learners from pre-school through high school.
Non-Profit Advocacy
Kramer’s long-standing relationship began when Jeff sent his young children to Barrie Camp. Jeff was instantly entranced with Barrie’s diversity, educational philosophy, and their beautifully wooded campus. Jeff became interested in aiding the school in their capital improvement and development plans, so he began volunteering, and after some time, Jeff was asked to join the Board and ultimately served for 10 years.
Over that time the Kramer team became involved in many projects, both large and small, some of which are: a master plan, special exception for overall campus zoning, turf athletic field, two new buildings for the middle and upper school students, and a new facility for lower school students (Rothschild Hall).
Research Learning Lab and Learning Studio
Innovation – A Modular Solution
The school wanted to provide either new or upgraded facilities for their middle and upper school students whose classrooms were in aging temporary buildings that were past their useful life. When a new single building was proposed, we found that it came with several insurmountable challenges – Barrie wanted to limit the schedule time, so the students could experience the new environment as quickly as possible, and the budget had challenges which to be met. These are both concerns that many projects face, so it was time to re-think the traditional design and building methods, so the team investigated a modular construction delivery method.
“As Head of Barrie School, I’ve worked with both Jeff and his team on multiple projects. We have used a wide range of services from Kramer Consulting. They helped us manage the building of a Research Learning Lab and Learning Studio project which was recognized with numerous awards for innovative design.”
The school’s key stakeholders wanted the design to feel like stick built construction (to get away from the previous temporary buildings stigma) and were dedicated to creating a sustainable project. The solution was to find a modular partner was that would be responsible for meeting the schedule and budget parameters, while supporting the design and sustainability goals of the architect and the client. Through Kramer’s RFP process the Modular Genius was selected as the provider for the building, which became a two-building solution, with common outdoor spaces linked by decks. The challenge of providing higher ceilings for the larger spaces was solved by constructing “pop-up” roofs that could be transported from the factory to the site.
Sustainable Goals
Embracing the 21st-century paradigm in learning and educational delivery, the project featured two compact, high performing learning environments- The Learning Studio and Research Learning Labs. These buildings were a combined total of 26,000 SF and constructed from reclaimed materials (20% of which had recycled products). The project cost incorporated rapidly renewable materials with 35% of the budget formed of Green Type FSC Lumber.
Further promoting sustainable learning environments, students and faculty have an import-ant role in maximizing the buildings’ operation system through thermal controls, operable windows, and lighting controls operated through a user-centered management system. Cisterns were installed for rainwater to support moderate irrigation while supplementing non-portable water use. Additional sustainable elements included the re-use of existing foundation piers and the recycling of the old portable structures for select interior walls to serve as an interpretive educational opportunity. Project elements included white EPDM cool roof/reflective energy reducing roof material; double insulated, Low-E II argon glass windows; insulated exterior doors and frames; non-toxic paint; HVAC controls; AC smart room controllers; occupancy sensors; energy efficient lighting; a small garden; and small section for composting.
The result was the creation of two beautiful two buildings perfectly suited for the middle and Upper school students. The buildings were named Research Learning Lab and Learning Studio.
Rothschild Hall
A Beacon for the Upper Campus
Kramer provided project management services for the design and renovation of Rothschild Hall located on the upper section of Barrie’s campus. Barrie School embraces a Montessori curriculum with a multi-sensory approach to learning, enabling students to reach beyond their grasp, put theory into practice, and ask pertinent questions. The project featured upgrades to the classrooms, library, kitchen areas, and restrooms, as well as interior and exterior enhancements to the lower elementary school.
The challenge on the heavily forested site was, if possible, to build or renovate without disturbing more than a small quantity of soil on the site. Doing so, would prompt and extensive county review process and potentially long projects delays. Because of this, the intent was to renovate the existing building, but after investigation, it was determined that the only some of the structural steel frame could be saved, so the design focused on saving the existing slab and footprint, so as not to disturb more than the allowable quantity of soil. What followed was almost a total demolition of the exterior with new construction including a new building skin and frame, windows, building entrances, roof enhancements, and site improvements. The interior consisted of new walls, doors, frames, ceilings, floors, and finishes.
Kramer provided design procurement and oversight, construction administration, client correspondence, budget oversight and analysis, scope change review, project reporting, change order management, claim evaluation and resolution, schedule management, payment processing, team meeting management, inspection and turnover services, and provided stakeholder guidance. The project was delivered within 6% of the budget.
Rothschild Hall is now a bright light-filled classroom space, delighting students, and serving as a gathering place for the upper campus.
Awards
Excellence in Design – Institutional Architecture
Research Learning Lab and Learning Studio
AIA Maryland
Kramer Consulting / Program Manager
