Career & Technical Education

Blue Hills Regional Technical School

Canton, MA

In 2012, DRA was hired for on-call architectural services relating interior and exterior maintenance improvements at Blue Hills Regional Technical School (BHRTS). Since that time, we have provided planning and design services for a variety of projects – window replacements, handicap accessibility, roof replacements, brick restorations, HVAC modifi­cations, domestic hot water systems, electrical / mechanical systems and kitchen design.

Our first step was to complete a comprehensive feasibility study to analyze the existing building infrastructure. We accomplished this task with several site reviews combined with a close examination of existing building documentation. DRA generated a report that targeted potential future projects. These projects were then prioritized based on criteria developed by the school. We then provided architectural services for projects targeted by the study – a swimming pool renovation and athletic fields upgrades.

The pool renovation consisted mostly of HVAC upgrades with some finish material replacement. We provided design services, construction documents, bidding and con­struction administration services for the $1.5 million renovation. The scope of work included repairs to pool deck, re-design and replacement of HVAC system, replacement of pool deck ceramic tile and other various finishes.

The athletic fields project was designed under two separate phases. The first phase con­sisted of upgrades to infrastructure to the baseball and softball field during the summer of 2013. The second phase consisted of a new synthetic turf field to replace their exist­ing football field. DRA provided design services, construction documents, bidding and construction administration services for the $1.2 million project.

Architectural/engineering services were provided to upgrade the pedestrian bridge that acts as a public entrance to the culinary arts program. This work included structural modifications. DRA also assisted BHRTS in submitting a Statement of Interest to the MSBA regarding potential HVAC upgrades and a window replacement project.

In June 2016, the MSBA’s Designer Selection Panel awarded DRA the BHRTS core pro­gram renovation. After assessment and evaluation, the preferred option has an esti­mated construction cost of $71.5M, the project cost is $85M.