A4LE Rocky Mountain Chapter’s Annual Design Awards: Gering Public Schools Summit Category for Renovations Award

The Gering Public Schools’ Addition and Renovation project took home an award at the A4LE Rocky Mountain Chapter’s Annual Design Awards Extravaganza on December 15, 2020. The accolade honors the Summit category for Renovations.

This project consisted of a 111,538 SF addition and renovation to the existing Gering High School with a total construction budget of $24 million. The primary goals of the Gering School District were to consolidate their Freshman Academy into the High School, improve comfort and energy with lighting and HVAC upgrades, provide a new kitchen/cafeteria, and incorporate additional practice facilities.

Specialized Engineering Solutions (SES) provided the following:

• New central chiller/compressor/boiler upgrades
• Conversion of a two-pipe system to a four-pipe system
• Air handling unit (AHU) upgrades
• Temperature controls upgrades
• Plumbing upgrades
• Two service upgrades
• Distribution replacement
• LED lighting upgrade
• Fire alarm upgrade
• Expansion of existing security and communications systems, and
• Additional power provided throughout to accommodate ever growing mobile devices.

RB+B Architects was our Architectural Partner for this innovative and eye-catching project. According to Lacey Reckelhoff, RB+B Architects Marketing Director, “Comments from the jury centered around the transformation of the campus that was created from the new addition, the showcasing of elements from the historic design into the new building, and the abundant use of daylighting throughout the new school.”

Though this project did not touch all of the existing High School, many portions of the school were affected by the project in some fashion creating unique phasing challenges to ensure the school was operational year-round. It was critical to include both the administration and facility staff in the design process to ensure a successful outcome. The resulting plan allowed for construction to proceed throughout the year all while allowing the facility to keep class in session.

Congratulations to Gering Public Schools and the entire Team!

A full list of submitted projects can be found on the A4LE’s website.