Constructed on a 20-acre site already occupied by an existing school that remained fully operational throughout construction, the new 422,000-sq-ft facility required a carefully phased plan to maintain safety and limit disruption to students and staff.

Following removal of contaminated arsenic-laden soil, an early-release package launched concrete and steel work ahead of full trade mobilization. Current and former Worcester students were engaged throughout the project, including a cadre of interns who had the opportunity to gain firsthand experience on an active jobsite.

Photo courtesy Fontaine Bros. Inc.

The braced steel frame structure features an exterior envelope comprised of a rainscreen system with masonry, metal wall panels, windows and glazed curtain walls.

Coupled with energy-efficient HVAC systems and the future integration of photovoltaic panels, the $272-million school will have the distinction of being Worcester’s first carbon negative building.

The project is currently on track to achieve LEED Gold certification, further demonstrating its alignment with high-performance green building standards.

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