Bethel Park High School was recently named the winner of the 2013 Master Builders’ Association (MBA) of Western Pennsylvania Building Excellence Award in the Best New Construction over $25 million category.
The newly constructed high school includes a variety of technological features that enhance the learning environment. The high school is equipped with short-throw projectors, flat screen TVs that act as kiosks, a state-of-the-art TV studio, and a premier HVAC system.
Dr. J emphasized that the high school’s design boasts an impressive wow factor. “The architecture of our school is amazing,” he said. “It’s unique in a multitude of ways.” Dr. J continued by expressing the rarity of terrazzo floors, as the hallways are coated with the composite material.
“Only three contractors install terrazzo floors on this side of the state,” Dr. J said.
Similarly, the design of the high school is just flat-out smart. With the design of the high school, each classroom can be filled with the maximum amount of sunlight. In addition, the cafeteria is positioned in an exclusive spot, as natural sunlight constantly spills in.
“Our high school was designed to run efficiently,” Dr. J said. “Weber Murphy Fox designed the overall layout of the building including the academic wing, Hayes Design Group designed the offices and athletic wing, and Mascaro Construction was the general contractor, as they built the entire school.” As these three companies attributed to the overall layout of the high school, they ensured that all the pieces fell into the right place.
The award was presented at the twentieth annual Construction Industry Evening of Excellence, which was held on Thursday, Feb. 27 at the Heinz Field East Club. Dr. J explained, “The event was really cool. On the flat-screen, a video and introductory clip of the high school was shown.”
Prior to being handpicked as a winner of the award, Dr. J gave nine judges a tour of the building.
Accepting the award were Nancy Aloi Rose, Bethel Park School District Superintendent; John West, Mascaro Construction Project Manager; Charlie Yazembiak, Weber Murphy Fox Architect; and Kevin Hayes, Hayes Design Group Principal Architect.
The highlight of the new high school included the certification of the Green Globe, a prestigious award that recognizes structures that encompass energy efficiency and environmentally friendliness components. With that being said, the high school is equipped with daylight harvesting, low flow plumbing fixtures and water metering, energy efficient light fixtures and mechanical systems.
The acceptance of the MBA award by Bethel Park High School serves an overarching purpose: the three companies involvement with the design and architecture of the school will impact future generations.
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