Hello High School Staff:
On Wednesday evening this week the Board met with architects, construction managers and owner’s representatives to exchange information and establish procedures for moving forward with the high school building project. (I sat next to the door so that I could make a quick exit if things got boring but ended up staying for the whole three hours.)
The tempo of the project will be set by the Board but the entire design team wants to get off to a quick start.
Here is what I think you should know:
The first part of the Design Phases is called Program of Requirements (POR). It starts now and will last about 3 months. Not a very long time. This part involves putting together a series of written statements that are detailed descriptions of spaces (size, location in the building, amenities, etc.)
The second part is the Schematic Design Phase. Rough 3-D diagrams will be produced using the POR statements. This will take about 4 months. There will be continued give and take and a preferred design will be the result.
The third part is called Design Development. This approximately 4 month period will see a refinement in the preferred design details, including selection of finishes, colors, etc., as well as figuring out the engineering of systems. Sustainability will be a key consideration.
That gets us to about February of 2015. Each of these phases will be presented to the Board for approval before the next phase begins. There will be no backtracking.
Our active participation is strongly desired by members of the Board, administration and design team and the first part of the design, the Program of Requirements, is critical. I suggest that you think about how you would describe your ideal teaching space using simple declarative sentences. In the same sort of statements, how would you describe the other characteristics and amenities of the high school you are hoping for? Write things down and compare notes with your colleagues.
Eventually, of course, desires will meet budgets and the realities of our historic building and building site but we need to start by aiming high.
When we are asked for our input, we owe it to ourselves and to each other to be prepared with something to say. Let’s think about and seriously discuss these things now. In January we will arrange for the designers to hear from you.
I sincerely hope that all of you have a great holiday.
Brian Schaner
CHTU V.P.