Buchart Horn provided architectural and engineering design to modernize Tracey’s Elementary School. The original building was constructed in 1962 with additions in 1966 for the cafetorium and a second classroom wing, creating a U-shaped building configuration.
A feasibility study, conducted in 2000, concluded through a building modernization portions of the building could be demolished and rebuilt to improve the site and building efficiency and layout. Approximately 26,300 SF of the original building remained and were modernized. The addition of the new construction completed the open side of the U-shape, creating a central courtyard. The final building size is 59,800 SF.
The portion of the building that was modernized contained 13 classrooms, special education rooms, resource rooms, and an art room. The additions contain three all-day Kindergartens, one pre-Kindergarten, music, gymnasium, cafeteria with stage, and media center. The kitchen is located on an exterior building wall to facilitate delivery of goods and materials.
The areas are zoned so that the community can use the facility after hours without entering the academic areas.
The following were designed as additive alternates during the design phase. The alternates comprise an additional 6,290 SF.
- Recreation and parks addition – increase to the gymnasium
- Recreation and parks addition – Extended Day program
- Casework modifications in classrooms
Structural
The new building is supported on reinforced concrete footings. Masonry walls are supported on continuous strip footings that bear on engineered fill. Steel columns bear on concrete spread footings.
Slabs on grade are 5-inch thick concrete with temperature and shrinkage reinforcement. The sub base is four inches of engineered fill topped with a vapor barrier. Mechanical and electrical rooms have 6-inch thick concrete slabs with reinforcement to accommodate heavier loads.
Classrooms and administrative areas – These areas contain load bearing concrete masonry unit walls. The roof is framed with metal joists.
Gymnasium and cafeteria areas – The gymnasium, cafeteria, and surrounding area are concrete masonry bearing walls with metal joists. A structural steel beam was used to support the operable partition. CMU shear walls resist lateral loads.
Mechanical
Heating source – Two, high efficiency, cast iron, forced draft natural gas-fired hot water boilers with thermal shock protection
Cooling source – High efficiency electric air-cooled chillers with consideration of part-load performance
HVAC System by Area – cafeteria/gymnasium; classrooms, media center, and administrative offices; series fans; computer classrooms; communications closets; storage rooms, toilets, and mechanical rooms; and food service area
Building Energy Management and Control System – The Automatic Temperature Control System/Energy Management Control System for the building is direct digital control system.
Plumbing – institutional grade plumbing fixtures, oil-fired storage tank type water heater
Fire Sprinkler System – A wet pipe sprinkler system was provided throughout the entire building. The sprinkler system is in accordance with the applicable codes as amended by Anne Arundel County.
Electrical
Power and Distribution – A new underground electrical service was provided. The service equipment was located in the electrical room. Main switchboard consists of three sections: C.T. section (power company metering), bolted main pressure switch, and circuit breaker distribution section.
Lighting – Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) Educational Specifications require 70 foot-candles of illumination in classrooms, work areas and offices at two feet and four inches above the floor. All other areas were provided with lighting levels as recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, unless otherwise noted. Lighting for the site and exterior building is metal halide type. Exterior building security lighting is controlled by photocell. Exterior site and/or parking lot lighting control are integrated into the Energy Management System.
Telephone System – A new underground telephone service was provided. The telephone wiring system was provided as defined in the Maryland State Department of Education, Maryland Public School Standards for Telecommunications Distribution Systems of February 2002 (revised), and in compliance with AACPS Educational Specification requirements.
Intercom/Sound System – An intercom/sound system includes two-way privacy communications and emergency alert system in each instructional area through ceiling- or wall-mounted speakers and wall mounted call switches. A separate auxiliary sound system was provided for the multipurpose room.
Security System – A card access control system was provided to include door control, access monitoring, access control and all related accessories required for a complete system. The system utilizes proximity type card readers located at doors as directed by AACPS. The intrusion detection system includes motion sensors installed at all exterior rooms with windows and contact switches at all exterior doors. Keypads were installed at locations as directed by AACPS.
CATV Television System – A new underground CATV service was provided by the local cable TV company. A cable TV distribution system was provided throughout the building. The CATV system was provided as defined in the Maryland State Department of Education, Maryland Public School Standards for Telecommunications Distribution Systems of February 2002 (revised), and in compliance with AACPS Educational Specification requirements.
Technology – Voice/Data/Video System – The technology systems were provided as defined in the Maryland State Department of Education, Maryland Public School Standards for Telecommunications Distribution Systems of February 2002 (revised), and in compliance with AACPS Educational Specification requirements. Data wiring and outlets are Cat 5E with fiber optic backbone distribution between wiring closets.
BH also provided design and construction of a package wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and force main. The package WWTP consists of a pre-cast concrete influent pumping station with sewage grinder, flow equalization tank and pumps, primary anoxic tank, aeration tank, final clarifier, sludge holding tank, effluent filters with mudwell for backwash waste storage, clearwell for filter backwash supply storage, UV disinfection unit, and effluent pump station with post aeration.
The treatment system provided BNR by the MLE process. The treatment plant capacity is 4,000 GPD. Alum is used to achieve phosphorous removal, and sodium acetate is provided to enhance total nitrogen removal. The plant’s five aeration blowers, alum feed system, and sodium acetate feed system are housed in a block and brick faced building constructed adjacent to the treatment plant. The building includes a small lab area and a separate electrical room to house the motor starters to power equipment and to house the plant central control panel.
The plant is fully automated with all alarms, run status, and critical analog data tied to a SCADA monitoring system.
Architecture
Water Resources
