June 22, 2017
ATHERTON, Calif. – Alten Construction, a full-service San Francisco Bay Area commercial construction company, recently completed construction on four new buildings for Sequoia Union High School District’s Menlo-Atherton High School, a four-year comprehensive secondary school.
The four buildings, totaling 47,000 gross square feet, house 21 additional classrooms for the school’s students, a learning center, teacher resource room and health department certified Food Service Kitchen. The re-envisioned site spreads across one acre. Starting mid May, the classrooms and site were in use by staff and students.
The $21 million project took place over two construction increments. Menlo-Atherton High School implemented the first phase of the high school’s expansion. The existing bungalow-style single-story building was replaced with educational exterior spaces, a courtyard and lunch space and a circular connection to the adjacent buildings.
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The architecture and design of the project was completed by LPA Inc. The design incorporates a suspended moment frame to one wing of the building, allowing for an open lunch and gathering space underneath four classrooms. The building sits at the center of the courtyard space and offers the flexibility to allow for double classes or larger training, meetings or presentations.
“Alten Construction brought not only a highly competitive bid from a reputable general contractor to this project but also a team of subcontractors that could complete a challenging, modern project,” said Denise Flatley, a project manager at LPA Inc. “These buildings are well constructed and can grow with the needs of the high school while incorporating technology updates, flexible learning, energy management and a strong sense of place.”
Collaborative learning rooms, where small groups and teachers can have focused discussions, brainstorming or quiet intervention, separate the classrooms. Each room has integrated technology and full-height writing surfaces. The operable windows on both sides of the classrooms allow for natural ventilation and maximization of natural daylight. The building meets the criteria for Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) designation and has the ability to connect to the District for energy management.
