Lakeland Elementary/Middle School
The project was a multi phased renovation to renovate an existing 40,000 sq. ft. Baltimore City School and to bring its programs, life safety and major systems up to current standards. Work included renovations to the 1965 structure, a 40,000 sq. ft. fifteen classroom and media wing addition with ancillary spaces, brick masonry restoration and an addition to the gymnasium and kitchen.
All major systems were removed and updated, as were all finishes. The new elevator was installed within the confines of the existing building, providing a challenge to complete the work in confined quarters. Once the project was fully underway, foundations for the new addition poured and shop drawings submitted BCPS elected to triple the size of the new addition.
CAM worked with the School Board on a CM basis to revise all pricing, complete programming, make proper changes to the building and to let contracts in the approved amount which would increase the size and value of the addition.
Albin O. Kuhn Library at UMBC
This 7-story 120,000 square foot, concrete-framed tower abuts the existing library with floor tie-ins at the 1st and 2nd levels. Construction included a 25,000 square foot renovation of selected portions of the existing library and moving all documents into the new tower.
The building exterior consisted of a complex system of pre-cast and curtain wall with granite accents. The interior has extensive millwork, terrazzo floors and ornamental stainless steel and glass rails. The building was completely internet ready with in-slab raceways to accommodate any future data cabling modifications.
This project required phased construction and significant pedestrian traffic control to allow continued safe and uninterrupted functioning of the existing library during construction.
Highlandtown Elementary School
At first thought, renovating a 24,000 sq. ft. building and adding a 50,000 sq. ft., three story, masonry bearing addition to an unoccupied school would not appear to be challenging to a firm which had constructed more than 70 other schools. However that changed, with the acceptance of an alternate to reduce the aggressive 18 month project schedule to 12 months – with a caveat that all work must be completed on time regardless of unforeseen conditions.
While gutting the structure of its existing finishes and equipment, it was found that the concrete topping installed under the wood floors was unstable in areas; roofing tar had bled through structural cracks in the concrete roof, a roof parapet wall was found to be unsound; deteriorated plaster on the exterior walls was judged to contain mold or provide an environment for its future growth; unidentified lead paint was present on the window sills, panels and trim; a City water line leak caused the lower level to flood and created a cave-in under an embankment where the foundation for the boiler room areaway was to be built; and the scheduled main switchgear location did not meet code only after installation of the equipment which then needed to be relocated.
Among the many unanticipated challenges was the instance where, after the new interior masonry walls were completed, the School system realized that several additional drinking fountains were required outside the gym; necessitating cutting of the concrete floors and newly completed walls to install plumbing for these fountains.
The interior first level courtyard is filled with a stone base and shredded rubber mulch to create a safe play yard for the children. These materials needed to be shot into place after all of the surrounding walls had been constructed.
This important brick masonry building could not be re-constructed for a reasonable cost in today’s economy and the design of the new addition so closely matches the brick work of the historic structure that the casual observer is challenged to ascertain where the existing structure ends and the new addition begins. Despite the magnitude of unforeseen conditions, its location directly adjacent an occupied community center, and the quantity and complexity of delays, the school was finished on time for the beginning of the school year.
Archbishop Borders School at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church
CAM was selected as the Construction Manager at Risk for this multi-phase renovation to the former Sacred Heart of Jesus School; now renamed the Archbishop Borders School. This is the only multi-lingual Catholic school run by the Archdiocese of Baltimore and was created following the consolidation of Baltimore’s Catholic Schools to serve the culturally diverse population in the East section of Baltimore City.
Throughout construction, the school classrooms were used for Sunday School classes, necessitating close coordination between construction activities and the Church. The lower level Great Hall, now used as the Cafeteria for this K-8th school, remained in use by Church committees nearly until the school year began. With its new servery, the school now provides lunches for all of its students.
Despite the modest budget allowed for the first phase of renovations, CAM was able to renovate the majority of the existing restrooms, provide several new restrooms, re-roof the school building, provide all new finishes, and create the needed emergency exit platform and staircase for the Kindergarten classes.
The existing wood closet cubbies were completely restored, and the original hardware was refurbished for use by the faculty. New white boards and tack boards were carefully installed over the existing slate chalk boards and trimmed out using moldings that match the original. The classrooms are differentiated by complex, yet cost-effective, patterned, vinyl tile floors, and the newly epoxy-painted hallway floors include colored accent circles to match the classrooms.
The new Administrative Suite was created at the main entrance to the school, with offices for the Principal, Vice Principal, Business Manager, and a welcoming Reception Area. The large fixed window at the Reception Area has been designed and installed to accommodate the planned multi-story elevator addition.
Phase 3 work included complete renovations to the 2nd floor administrative wing, new covered entry for students, modifications and enlargement of the covered entry to allow for student drop off at the new entry, refurbishment and new finishes, new windows and lighting at the gymnasium, new windows, and a new restroom at the lower level cafeteria.
Current work includes construction of the new playground.
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
The project was awarded as a total gut and rehab of the 220,000 square foot school, originally contracted as being vacant. Due to the wishes of the faculty and students, the building was later continuously occupied throughout construction. This major renovation project is located on a tightly congested urban site, completely surrounded by adjacent academic buildings, major thoroughfares and the students and staff who were on site throughout the project.
Work areas include the gymnasium, auditorium, natatorium, classrooms, cafeteria/kitchen, academic labs and tech science classrooms, administrative offices and support areas. The existing HVAC and plumbing systems have been completely replaced, modifications were made to the existing sprinkler system, the existing roof was removed and a new roof installed. A new main entry and administrative wing was created from the former basement by removing the existing wall on Orleans Street and installing a new curtain wall and high efficiency window system providing natural light to the feature lobby with its substantially upgraded finishes and a massive Fritz tile floor highlighting the school’s colors.
New interior masonry walls have been constructed, extensive laboratory and science casework has been installed, and the technology upgrades enable the school’s curriculum to meet the needs of Dunbar’s health professional partnering agreement with Johns Hopkins Hospital. Hazardous materials removal, originally to be contracted by the owner, was added to CAM’s contract, with little if any extension to the contract completion. Work was completed directly adjacent occupied classrooms with no interruption to the curriculum.
The newly renovated school contains more than 50 laboratories, classrooms, and collegiate-style lecture halls for 900 students and faculty, a newly created health suite, resource center library, café, with full commercial kitchen, department offices and meeting spaces and storage areas – most of which have finishes highlighting the school’s colors and spectacular views of the City. Of particular interest is the placement of the offices, curved walls, and exposed beams which are used as architectural elements and feature flooring and ceiling details.
The contractual change from a vacant to occupied environment was accommodated by CAM’s forces installing temporary partitions, a covered interior walkway which re-routed internal passageways, a temporary fire alarm system, temporary power and temporary lights. Despite many owner initiated changes and additions to the contract, once again CAM’s work was completed on time with temporary occupancy granted ahead of schedule to allow for the faculty and staff to set up for the school year.
This school is of such great importance to the Baltimore City Public School System that the ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by Governor Martin O’Malley, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Mayor Sheila Dixon, Dr. Andres Alonso, CEO of the School System, and both national and local heads of the teacher’s union. The keynote ribbon cutting address was given by John’s Hopkins Hospital’s famed pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Cardin. The change to the school is so substantive that many of the alumnae attending the ribbon cutting ceremony literally could not find their way around the school they had once attended.
Howard Community College – Technical Arts Building
University of Maryland, Baltimore – School of Social Work
Glenmount Middle School
Project included a complete renovation of the existing 55,000 square feet school and construction of a 15,000 square foot addition to this historic building, originally constructed in 1929 and included in the National Historic Registry.
Interior renovations included new mechanical and electrical systems as well as the addition of several new classrooms, labs and support facilities. The renovation also included installation of a state of the art CAT 5 fiber optics computer data & TV network.
Great care was taken on the exterior renovations to preserve the details of this classic building. The signature cupola was removed and completely refurbished prior to its re-installation. The addition was designed to complement the historic building and provide an additional 15,000 square feet of academic space.
Site renovations involved the construction of new parking lots, installation of new landscaping and playground construction.
Roland Park Elementary/Middle School
This project included the complete renovation and major additions to the historic 1925 public school building. Great care was taken in the planning and construction of this 125,000 square foot project in that it was continuously occupied throughout the renovation.
Extensive use of temporary barriers and pedestrian flow controls were required. A large amount of hazardous material abatement was included in the contract.
Also included was a complete floor by floor finish and equipment modifications and complete mechanical and electrical system replacement and upgrades
