Marshall County High School Renovation & Expansion

Learning Centered Design

The Marshall County High School renovation transformed the high school into a more secure, aesthetically pleasing school featuring optimized teaching and learning spaces. This renovation tackled an array of essential areas across the school, with a particular emphasis on redefining the use of the school’s expansive student commons area. Additional major improvements were focused on the pre-existing Cafeteria and the Media Center.

The updated exterior boasts a new bus canopy and a secured entry vestibule, whose operations are closely overseen from the expanded administrative suite. The redesign of the site focused primarily on the refreshed front entrance and the adjoining bus lane and canopy.

Mechanical and electrical system modifications were significant and comprehensive, encompassing HVAC upgrades, a complete overhaul of lighting and plumbing fixtures, replacement of fire alarm and bell systems, and an extensive expansion of the existing sprinkler system for all-inclusive fire safety throughout the school.

We also coordinated the strategic utilization of the District’s bonding capacity to maximize the project’s scope. This was done through the concurrent execution of an Energy Savings Contract to subsidize a portion of the requisite mechanical and electrical renovations. This approach allowed the traditional project scope to emphasize life safety, programmatic changes, and interior finish renovations, without causing a significant surge in the budget.

Sherman Carter Barnhart engaged the faculty and staff at the High School to tackle the challenges presented with completing a project of this complexity in a timely manner and while the building is occupied. A phased construction schedule was crafted to guide the project toward completion, ensuring minimal disruption to the faculty’s dedication to delivering high-quality education amidst the ongoing construction activities.

The project also encompassed crucial non-programmatic changes. The replacement of the existing roof, which had outlived its predicted life cycle, and renovations of the stairs, which previously didn’t meet current design standards, were key components of these necessary upgrades.