The Hardypond team has been hard at work over at Reiche Elementary School. After a delayed start and an incredibly busy summer in 2022, the project has been moving forward and meeting its goals. One major goal was to have the school ready to open on time for students in the fall of 2022. This was no easy task as the entire center of the school had been transformed to a dirt pit while trenches were dug and systems were updated, but Hardypond found the path that got the doors open for kids on September 6th, the official first day of school!
“With the compressed schedule, it really was a miracle we pulled it off,” shares Hardypond President Deirdre Wadsworth. “It wasn’t always pretty, but we did it in a way that allowed the school to open on time. It was really about understanding the full goal of the school and prioritizing what was important.”
The largest work area was the sunken library and center of the school. Going from a major construction zone to an inspiring learning space involved a lot of coordination, but in the end the library was put back together and improved in the process. The space now includes several tiered areas and has various reading nooks throughout the library for students to cozy up with a good book. With new handrails and finishes, there is a whole new look as well as all new ceilings, sprinklers, and ductwork. The second floor, previously open, was enclosed with walls that are sound-deadening, which helps provide a better acoustic environment and learning experience for the kids. In addition, the walls add an extra layer of fire safety for the school. The second floor also now has a full hallway with windows for light; an exciting design upgrade. The new configuration also includes speciality rooms for occupational therapy and meeting spaces, a much needed improvement for the teachers and staff at Reiche.
The administration area also received some upgrades and now has a new front desk, updated offices and an updated conference room all with new flooring, ceilings, and decorative finishes. Along with the aesthetic renovations, the control center for the school was updated as well with a new intercom and video entrance system, fire alarms, and security systems.
As a team that always pays attention to the details and excels at complex logistics, we have been able to keep the project moving forward despite challenges. Delays happen – like existing roof leaks that prevent new flooring from being installed as planned – but when those challenges arise, the Hardypond crew knows how to pivot and find solutions. As always, Hardypond’s goal is to minimize the disruption for students, so each phase has been planned alongside the school calendar. The work has continued through the school year, with kids playing musical classrooms as each grade’s space gets renovated. We will tackle the exterior renovations this summer. Stay tuned for more updates!