As part of a $16 million bond referendum, Babylon Union Free School District was able to renovate and build additions to three educational facilities, its elementary, middle school and high schools. For the project team, this complicated initiative represented a simultaneous, district wide effort to design and construct multiple projects. In addition to extensive building infrastructure and system upgrades, these complex projects involved extensive internal renovations to accommodate curriculum and program changes. Construction on all projects was carefully phased and scheduled to allow for continuous use of the respective facilities. The design team carefully monitored the estimated cost throughout all design phases, allowing for all projects to be completed on budget and within a tight schedule. Babylon Elementary School The 34,000-sf addition doubled the size of the existing facility and involved the renovation of the cafeteria and kindergarten facility and the creation of two wings. A new commons area connects the new gymnasium and library wing to the existing main entry lobby. The other new wing houses 11 classrooms equipped with special instructional spaces for music and art. Site work for the school included construction of a driveway, drop-off area and playgrounds. The elementary school addition was part of a $16 million bond referendum for design services for the restoration of all schools in the Babylon Union Free School District. For the project team, this complicated initiative represented a simultaneous, district-wide effort to design and construct multiple projects. All buildings in the district benefited from the upgrade of their exterior envelopes and mechanical infrastructure, renovations that maximized energy use. Design highlights included a commons area efficiently linking public use spaces (cafeteria, gymnasium, library, media center); separation of instructional areas; a new wing, forming a courtyard; a garden cloister/ outdoor classroom; corridors serving as habitable, activity-rich spaces; multiple masonry & metal-clad buildings forming a series of subtly inflected planes; clerestory windows, allowing daylight to penetrate interior spaces. • major, new 34,000 sf addition • 11 new classrooms • special instructional spaces for art & music • gymnasium/multipurpose room • state-of-the-art library & media center • renovated cafeteria • garden cloister/outdoor classroom • exterior envelope & mechanical infrastructure upgrades • increased energy efficiency • extensive site work (construction of new driveway, drop-off area, playgrounds) • winner of Long Island AIA Award, 2005, and Learning by Design Citation of Excellence, 2006
