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A new $25 million middle school is underway in Falls Church, Va., a suburb of Washington, D.C. The George Mason Middle School is being developed through a public/private partnership between the Falls Church Public School Board, City of Falls Church and Clark Real Estate Advisors. The project is the first awarded under the new Virginia Public Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002.
Due to overcrowding at the current facility, a new middle school is needed. Clark Construction Group, LLC (www.clarkconstruction.com) is serving as general contractor on the three-story George Mason Middle School, which is being built on the site of former tennis courts, basketball courts and sports fields on the campus.
Designed by BerryRio Architecture + Interiors of Springfield, Va., the 131,000-square-foot school features technologically advanced, flexible learning environments. A steel structure with a concrete foundation of retaining walls and spread footings supports the facade, which consists of brick, split faced block, corrugated metal panels and operable windows. In addition to classrooms, a cafeteria/auditorium, gymnasium, art lab, library, science and computer rooms, and media production area are included in the program.
Students will continue to attend classes in the existing combined middle/high school building, as well as trailers that are on the campus to accommodate overcrowding, during construction. The project is scheduled for completion in Fall 2005.
Additional team members include Construction Dynamics Group, Inc. of Columbia, Md., program/construction manager; Ehlert/Bryan, Inc. of McLean, Va., structural engineer; Strickler Associates, Ltd. of Fairfax, Va., MEP engineer; and Urban Engineering & Associates, Inc. of Annandale, Virginia, civil engineer.
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