Dickson Middle School/ STEAM Academy

Woodland Hills School District

Swissvale, PA  – Renovation - 101,000 sq/ft – $24 Million

CORE Architects is the Design Architect for the conversion of the vacant Dickson Elementary School, in Woodland Hills School District, to house the Woodland Hills Middle School and STEAM Academy.  The scope for this project includes the complete renovation of the interior of the existing building, including replacement of all MEP systems.  New lighting, air conditioning,  data and communications systems, and emergency systems were also installed.  Two new additions were constructed.  A new classroom and gymnasium addition was built to support the increased enrollement of the building.  

A new entrance/administration addition was alos constructed to improve the efficiency and safety of the building.  The former gymnasium was converted to house the cafeteria and a new production kitchen.  The former cafeteria has been converted to provide a modern, state-of-the-art, student media center.  

This project is unique in that it is a Hybrid-Delivery Project traditional design-bid-build construction delivery method and a partial energy services (ESCO) project.  This innovative construction process allowed the District to maximize construction dollars by evaluating all energy-related system components of the existing building during construction to minimize unecessary replacement.  The joint A/E-ESCO team also provided the District with the professional oversight of our Integrated A/E/CMa approach to better protect the District’s interests during construction.