Hearst Elementary School Case Study
The Hearst Elementary School is a public school located in Washington, DC. It is focused on providing a rigorous curriculum integrated with exposure to the arts and prides itself on reaching a diverse audience of students. Wilmot Modular, featured in MBI member profiles, was hired to consult and provide what was originally a two-story classroom expansion project. The school district wanted the building to match nearby buildings on the campus, and fit in a steeply graded, small site. There were also budget constraints that had to be managed.
Wilmot worked with the District’s design team to design and furnish a one-story modular building that met all the District’s needs. The building was completed as a design-build project to save both time and money - reducing approximately 18 months from the original two-story project schedule.
The building includes six 32-person classrooms and restroom facilities. Due to the siting and construction of the building, the requirement for fire sprinklers was waived, saving the District about $100,000. Sprinklers may be required in new structures for a variety of reasons. Because of the new building’s proximity to existing structures, a 1HR fire-rated assembly was needed on the left and right elevations and a main corridor. A historic building was within close proximity to the new structure that could not be moved or modified. Its consideration was taken into account and instrumental to meet code requirements.
The modular structure is designed specifically to fit in with the rest of the campus, both in architectural style and technologically. Exterior color and
material selections aesthetically blend with surrounding buildings and interior tech ensures that the classrooms remain connected to the school’s infrastructure.
Architecture and Design
Due to site size constraints and the topography of the land, Wilmot revised the District’s plan for a two-story building to a one-story modular building,
saving the District approximately $400,000 and about 18 months of construction time. A two-story building would have required too much disturbance to the school’s operations, as well as cost significantly more. The resulting modular building was designed to match nearby buildings and fit in with the overall campus. To address the extreme slope of the site (about 12 feet of elevation change sloping down from front to back), the foundations utilized poured concrete footings and formed piers with steel reinforcement to minimize site disturbance. A traditional foundation would have cost the District significantly more in concrete and excavation costs.
The exterior design included Hardipanel siding, recessed entries, and seamless gutters and downspouts to give the building a permanent look. In addition, metal canopies and ADA ramps were included at both entry points, with a central corridor for efficient access to classrooms and facilities.
The interior finishes included site-installed Corlon flooring, vinyl gypsum wallboard, and acoustical T-grid ceilings with LED lighting. Security cameras and card readers were installed for added security, and integrated with the school’s existing systems.
Technical Innovation
The Hearst Elementary classroom building was designed with an exterior envelope that was energy efficient to meet both code and District requirements. Measures included a reflective white membrane roof and low-E tinted windows to help prevent solar heat gain and prevent glare.
The design included state-of-the-art technology, including digital communication, IT, and security/access controls. The building systems were integrated with the main school building and adjacent classrooms, including smart boards, ensuring that teachers had access to the necessary resources and technology for modern learning. The design included high-quality HEPA filtration in the restrooms, in addition to touchless sanitary items as per COVID-19/school guidelines. The lighting system is made up of high-efficiency LED fixtures with adjustable controls, conserving energy and providing natural lighting when possible.
Estimated Savings
- Site and stormwater management improvements that weren’t required due to building siting - $80,000
- Fire rated exterior walls, removing the need for a fire sprinkler system - $100,000
- Value engineering two-story plan to one-story - $400,000 + 18 months from schedule
More from Modular Advantage
How Rebel Concept Harnesses AI as a Design Tool to Improve the DFMA Process
“The complexity of projects and the size of project are so large, and the technology is so complicated that AI would do it so much faster than we are,” says Kris Droszcz, CEO at Rebel Concept. “Everybody’s struggling to control the manufacturing processes according to the design. And I think that’s what AI will do.”
One Answer from AI Can Provide Innumerable Opportunities, says Stack Modular’s Jim Dunn
The Stack AI Engine is not fully functional yet, but it offers an unlimited number of productivity benefits. Currently, the company is using AI for cost estimates, most recently for a project out in California.
GrayWolf: Building the Future of Modular Data Centers to Power the AI Revolution
The growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud-based applications has created an urgent need for data centers capable of managing massive amounts of data. As businesses across industries increasingly rely on digital infrastructure to power their AI tools, the demand for data centers has skyrocketed.
Artificial Intelligence: Yes, it is a Construction Game-Changer
Much like other sectors of the economy, AI is reshaping construction, revolutionizing how projects are planned and executed across the country. While it is obvious that AI cannot do certain things by itself, like laying bricks, paving roads, or shingling roofs, its impact stands to be both massive and positive.
The Potential and Possibilities of AI for Offsite
AI is everywhere. Many industries have incorporated AI into business as usual with new organizational structures and new dependencies to be more efficient and to automate repetitive tasks. Offsite construction will not be immune to AI’s ubiquity. The technology offers unique benefits to the offsite building process.
Moving from AI Hype to an AI Advantage
Learning about AI will help you see past the overinflated hype and identify the opportunities specific to your own business. Learning about AI is like peeling an onion – each layer reveals something new, and occasionally it might make your eyes water. But in the end, you’ll have all the ingredients you need to cook up some real innovation in your organization.
The Blueprint for Smart and Ethical AI Integration in Your Business
The journey toward smart and ethical AI integration involves crafting a strategic vision that aligns AI’s transformative potential with your organizational goals. True success with AI is measured by its capacity to enhance human capabilities, foster sustainable growth, and generate value for all stakeholders while actively avoiding ethical pitfalls and harmful risks.
Five Factors for Success When Shifting Your Business to Modular
As labor, competitive and cost factors push more contractors and developers to embrace the opportunity to go modular as a first choice and not a last resort, it’s become clear that adopting this new model requires more than just a willingness to make it happen. Here are five factors to consider as your company moves to a modular construction model:
UniCool-Edge: Optimized Cooling Solutions for Modular and Edge Data Centers
In an industry where efficiency, scalability, and security are crucial, the UniCool-Edge™ system is a revolutionary solution for modular data center manufacturers. By offering external mounting for maximum space utilization, energy-efficient cooling, and pre-commissioned reliability, UniCool-Edge helps manufacturers stay ahead in the rapidly evolving AI-driven data center market. As edge data centers continue to expand, solutions like UniCool-Edge will play a vital role in supporting the next generation of modular data centers and their data center infrastructure.
Building Skills in a Virtual World: Immersive Training for the Modern Workforce
As both the hardware and software for developing and deploying XR applications continue to become more affordable, the investment in this technology as a training tool is increasingly appealing. XR also offers several other benefits, including performing potentially hazardous tasks in a safe environment and acquiring new skills without the immediate need for physical materials.