Fremont High School: 5 Cool Features
The only new High School to open in Michigan this year is in Fremont, and it has some powerful educational and energy-saving features.
The first Steelcase media:scape® lab in a K-12 school in Michigan.
Integrated Technology and Furniture
The first Steelcase media:scape® lab in a K-12 school in Michigan would be the envy of any corporate team. Up to five groups are supported with integrated technology and furniture that boosts collaboration and help teams excel. The configuration and technology allow participants to equally access and share information quickly and seamlessly.
Every Classroom is Flexible
All general classrooms are designed for Interactive Learning. Every wall is a teaching wall, and tables and chairs are move easily. Mobile technology and presentation equipment supports up to four teams within the room and ensures that discussions and information access is close by every student. Huddleboards hang around the classroom and can easily move with the students to use on the tables or floor for individual or team work. The teacher’s “desk” is a wireless computer on a mobile chart, and allows the teacher to move from group to group and function as a facilitator or coach.
Adjustable-height lab stations and ample light fill a chemistry classroom.
Adjustable Furnishings in Unexpected Places
The Chemistry room’s dynamic Axis Infinity® workstations allow groups to seamlessly flow from lecture to laboratory work to demonstrations within a simple learning space. The tabletop contains a sink and lab gasses, and it adjusts to a sitting or standing lab bench height by a touch of the remote control, so any station is ADA accessible. The workstations also support biology, physics, and general science programs. Any subject matter could be taught in this room, another flexible feature of the high school’s design.
Radiant Heat Served by a Geothermal System
Radiant floor heat creates a comfortable, quiet environment. Our engineers had a unique opportunity to provide the district with the energy-efficient heating and cooling system they wanted. Kingscott designed a water-to-water geothermal system to work with the radiant floor heat. The system will be low maintenance as well as energy-saving. Compressors and refrigerants are centralized for easy maintenance, and all air-handling units have heat recovery.
Natural light floods the entry corridor outside the main office.
Natural Light Throughout
Kingscott’s design architect took care to maximize natural light and visual connectivity throughout the school to promote a sense of well being and create a healthy environment for learning. Every room has tall windows and sloping ceilings, as well as occupancy sensors and a daylight harvesting system. The building design purposely created visual connectivity throughout the building. Natural light flows into central corridors. Classroom doorways are wide so light from the exterior windows passes through to the hallways.
See more images from this impressive Kingscott-designed educational facility here.
A First of Its Kind in Michigan
Great Lakes Center for Autism Treatment and Research Opens
Residential Opportunities, Inc. of Kalamazoo (ROI) opened the doors of the new Great Lakes Center for Autism Treatment and Research. The facility and its programs are ground-breaking in Michigan and will serve as a model for future treatment centers throughout the State.
ROI is a non-profit mental health organization that provides support services in Southwest Michigan for individuals with developmental and other disabilities. The Great Lakes Center for Autism Treatment and Research is just one ROI’s successful programs; and for this program, ROI teamed with Western Michigan University’s renowned Department of Psychology. Professors will provide clinical and research expertise and their students will have great opportunities to learn about and help children with autism.
The new Great Lakes Center for Autism Treatment and Research is home to two of the Center’s three programs:
The Residential Program is the only one of its kind in Michigan. The Center will temporarily be home to up to twelve children. During their stay, doctors and staff will help them develop new skills that better prepare them for their home environment and community.
Staff at the The Heersma Outpatient Clinic provides Applied Behavior Analysis therapies, as well as occupational, physical, and speech therapies to children with autism and a variety of disabilities. Staff also provides autism assessments and work closely with each child’s pediatrician.
Kingscott helped ROI select the facility/site and then designed the project. Originally the Portage Moose Lodge, Kingscott completely remodeled the building to meet the exacting needs of the staff, patients and families, and Western Michigan University researchers. Special design features include:
Finishes and space configuration to minimize noise levels and create a comfortingenvironment- Colors that are calming
- Materials and furniture that ensure durability and safety
- Lighting levels that are calming, yet meet the researcher’s needs
- Observation and work areas for the researchers
- Private bedrooms in pods to allow groupings by age, gender, or behavioral challenges to maximize care and comfort
- Motor skills area for physical activity and a special education classroom
Bronson Commons Breaks Ground
Lower Left: Bob McGraw, Kingscott President & CEO, Carol Long, Bronson Healthcare Facility Planner / Property Manager, and Earl Eddy, Kingscott Senior Living Leader enjoy the groundbreaking before digging in with the project team from Bronson and CSM.
Groundbreaking for Bronson Commons, a rehabilitation and skilled nursing community on Red Arrow Highway in Mattawan, Michigan took place on June 18, 2012. Designed and engineered by Kingscott (architect of record) and Post Associates (design consultant), the 76,300 sq. ft. Center will be a state-of-the-art healing environment set in a wooded site with a view of a pond. The 100-bed building and site is designed to LEED for Healthcare certification standards. Learn more about Bronson Commons here.
Sharing the Benefits of Energy-Efficient Design with GRPS
On May 7, 2012 Bob McGraw, AIA, LEED AP, President & CEO of Kingscott, presented a check for $21,000 to the Grand Rapids Public Schools’ Board of Education.
Bob McGraw of Kingscott presents a check for $21,000 to Grand Rapids Public Schools' Interim Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal and Board President Senita Lenear.
As Architects and Engineers for Cesar Chavez Elementary School, Kingscott qualified for the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) tax program. Kingscott’s sustainable design of the building’s envelope and mechanical and lighting systems exceeded code minimum efficiencies by more than 50%. The school district and the community made efficient, economical, and sustainable design a priority, so Kingscott wanted to share this benefit of implementing the energy-saving design with the district. Kingscott previously shared EPAct program funds with Gull Lake Community Schools.
New Tech Project Takes Shape at Meridian
Meridian Public Schools’ New Tech High School has been designed and is taking shape in this community near Midland. The remodeled facility includes project-based learning studios, small group work areas, and a student commons for team activities. View more of the 3D renderings here.
Progress on Senior Living Projects
Kingscott has several Senior Living projects in the works. Among the projects we’re working on:
Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility
Kingscott is working with a private developer on a new Assisted Living and Memory Care facility. The 80-bed residence contains 24 memory-care units. The balance of the Assisted Living units are split between studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units. From a central ‘main street’, residents can access courtyards, and a dining room. Image courtesy of Post Associates.
Bronson Healthcare Group’s new Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Kingscott has completed design work and is finishing construction documentation for Bronson Healthcare Group’s new Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Mattawan, Michigan. The Center will replace an existing facility.
Senior Living Community Concept
Kingscott was asked to imagine a new Senior Living Community on a reclaimed site. In partnership with Viridis Design group and Erhardt Construction, we envisioned a community organized around a “Central Park”. See more of our concept here.
Three Recent Remodeling & Site Projects
We’ve added three new projects to our online portfolio. They include remodeling and an addition at Marshall Public Schools’ Gordon and Hughes Elementary Schools; a new Athletic Complex at Decatur Public Schools; and multiple improvements to DeWitt Public Schools. All three projects feature site and circulation improvements.
The projects at Marshall Public Schools are part of the district’s 2009 Bond program which will also include a new auditorium at the High School.
Decatur’s new Athletic Complex includes a new football stadium, baseball field, soccer field, softball field, and concession stand. Site lighting, playgrounds, pathways, and parking lots were included in the project that included remodeling to the district’s high school and elementary school.
Projects recently completed for DeWitt Public Schools include reconfigured traffic circulation, an addition at Fuerstenau Early Childhood Center, and improvements to the Athletic Stadium complex.
DeWayne Leppke, A Career of Service
DeWayne was always ready to share his enthusiasm for engineering with students, including this visiting Girl Scout Troop from Kalamazoo.
After nearly 50 years with Kingscott, longtime Senior Associate and trailblazing engineer DeWayne Leppke, P.E., has announced his retirement. While we are sorry to see DeWayne wind down his valued participation in the firm, we take great pride in his many accomplishments. His involvement included:
- Served as Principal and member of the Board of Directors
- Engineer for Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery, Oshtemo, MI, at the time, the world’s largest shallow-water solar energy system in the world
- Engineer for the (Gerald R. Ford) Federal Building in Grand Rapids, MI
- Engineer for Berkshire Hills Monument Valley Middle School (linked to page), Great Barrington, MA utilizing solar/photovoltaic and geothermal systems
- Mentor for NASA Robotics Alliance Project FIRST Competition and recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award
- Member of Board of Deacons at Bethel Baptist Church, Kalamazoo, MI
In addition to the numerous awards his projects have won for engineering and design, DeWayne was named a Thought Leader in Energy in 2010, reflecting the continuing innovation he brought to projects large and small. His mentorship and friendship to all of us at Kingscott will never be replaced. Good Luck in all you do, DeWayne!
New Projects in Calhoun County
We’ve added two new Calhoun County projects to our online portfolio.
The Bedford Valley Golf Course at Gull Lake View sports a new clubhouse, including lower-level cart charging stations. The Craftsman-style building houses a pro shop, dining room, bar, kitchen, and changing rooms for patrons.
The new Battle Creek home of Family & Children Services is a former American Automobile Association office on Columbia Avenue. The building was transformed by Kingscott for use by this community service agency. A drive-through garage was turned into a new conference room.
Happy Retirement, Brooks!
After more than 45 years with Kingscott, Brooks Godfrey, AIA is retiring. While with Kingscott, Brooks held many positions, including Senior Principal and member of the Board of Directors. Brooks’ service to the Kalamazoo community includes the recent award-winning Chenery Auditorium improvements. He served as President of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo and Chair of the Kalamazoo Cultural Center Board. Kingscott wishes Brooks and his wife Mary a happy retirement. We will miss you!
Chenery Auditorium
Here are some of his many notable projects:
- Chenery Auditorium remodeling, Kalamazoo, MI
- Monument Valley Middle School, Great Barrington, MA, a school partially powered by alternative energy – solar and geothermal
- Epic Center, Kalamazoo, MI, a catalyst for downtown development and a home for many of the arts organizations Brooks has supported over the years.
- Woodland Elementary, Kingsford, MI
- East Middle School, Holland, MI, winner of several national education awards
- Holland High School Additions & Remodeling, Holland, MI
- Glen Oaks Community College Addition, Centreville, MI one of the first green-roofed buildings in Michigan
- Perry Child Development Center, Ypsilanti, MI, a groundbreaking Early Childhood Learning Center and winner of the William W. Caudill Citation
- Orr Elementary, Washington, D.C.
- Newton High School, Newton, KS
- Parker Hannifin, Office Building, Richland, MI
- DeChaine Residence, Eugene, OR
Epic Center
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