High School Renovation Aims for LEED Certification

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School will receive an $85 million green makeover from HMFH Architects that will renovate 400,000-square-feet of academic space.

Construction will be completed in phases and is expected to be finished in two years. The original plans consisted of a complete replacement of the facility’s HVAC systems, roof, windows and related fire safety and electrical work. However, as HMFH, based in Cambridge, began redesign plans, the firm worked with the high school, school committee and city to identify the facility’s other needs.

The architectural firm obtained grants from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Renewable Energy Trust or $400,000 to install a 30 kW photovoltaic rooftop solar panel array, which will display solar energy use for educational programs, according to officials.

“We began with the investigation of building system replacement needs, but were able to expand our approach to address operational, educational and community needs,” says George Metzger, president of HMFH Architects.
When renovations are completed, the school will pursue LEED Silver certification.

The school, built in 1933 and expanded in 1978, will be divided into four small learning communities, according to school officials. Incoming ninth grade classes will be placed off campus in a nearby empty elementary school building during the first year of construction.

The project is similar to renovations completed by HMFH at the Cambridge War Memorial Recreation Center, which sits adjacent to the high school, according to officials.

Similar to the high school project, the center was in need of a complete HVAC system replacement. The center, built in the 1950s, also received new entrances, new locker and shower facilities, administrative offices and classrooms for high school and recreation department programs, according to officials.

More than 2,000 students utilize the center daily and it functions as the city’s central community athletic facility, according to officials. Planners are pursuing LEED certification for the center.