March 8, 2012
WHEATON HIGH SCHOOL MODERNIZATION
SCHEMATIC DESIGN MEETING NO. 4
21202.10/075
ATTENDEES:
See attached sign in sheet.
Meeting Notes:
NEW BUSINESS:
4.1
Grimm + Parker provided a review of the model play from the previous meeting, a review of
the site strategies and options 1,4 and 5 explored at the last meeting, a review of the
academic program organization meeting on academies held last week, and presented
development of option 1.
4.2
Option 1a was presented with two alternatives; (1) with child development inside the
building on the courtyard; (2) with child development at the northeast corner of the building
and dance relocated to the Art/Music wing. This scheme provided administration at the
northwest corner of the building, providing oversight of both entrances. The public spaces
are provided with the Gym to the north side, auditorium and music rooms to the south, and
the cafeteria between these spaces. The Media Center is provided at the west side of the
building near the front entrance. The Special Education areas are provided across from the
dining area. This scheme provides academies at the north and south sides of the classroom
areas on the second and third floor, with general classrooms between them. Engineering
and Bioscience are provided at the south side of the building to present more prominence
of these programs to Randolph Road, and IGCS and AOIT are provided on the north side.
4.3
Option 1b was presented. This option is similar to Option 1a, but reorganizes the locations of
the different academies; Engineering and Bioscience are provided at the north side of the
building, and IGCS and AOIT are provided on the south side.
4.4
Option 1c was presented. This scheme is similar to Option 1a, except the IGCS cluster is
provided in the center of the academic wing, dividing the courtyard into two smaller
courtyards, and creates a cross corridor between the east and west sides on all three floors.
4.5
A good amount of discussion occurred about the size of the courtyards in each scheme,
and how they related to the existing courtyards at Wheaton. The design team advised that
courtyards should not be any smaller than 50’ in either direction. The height of the building
also has impact on this size of the courtyard. The existing Wheaton courtyards are 40’x130’
(small) and 100’x125’. The current single courtyard scheme is approximately 100’x180’. The
two courtyard schemes had courtyards of approximately 50’x100’ and 40’x100’.
4.6
Revised site design information was provided. The site grading has been modified to lower
the stadium and raise the building to improve the stadium layout and resolve the disparate
entrance elevations issues. This has created a plaza area behind the stadium that can be
used for stadium events, toilet rooms and concessions.
CALVERTON / MCLEAN
11720 Beltsville Drive Suite 600 / Calverton MD 20705 / Tel 301.595.1000 / Fax 301.595.0089/ grimmandparker.com
Wheaton High School Modernization
Schematic Design Meeting No. 4
Page No. 2
4.7
Comments and discussion topics that resulted from the presentation are as follows:
For Option 1a:
• Positive input was expressed about moving child development at northeast corner of
the building. Dance could be relocated adjacent to the music area, however, the
addition of lockers in the auditorium dressing rooms would be necessary.
• Science being split up would require chemicals and equipment to be transported
between floors. Staff recommended the design team investigate having elevator
close to the science areas.
• Staff expressed concern about special education classrooms being near the dining
area. The design team will investigate other locations for special education.
• Staff expressed concern about the lack of classrooms at the first floor. Many were
concerned that this may cause “traffic jams” with student class changes on the
second and third floors, where most of the academic classrooms are located. In
addition, the loop around the courtyard provides little congestion relief for potential
“traffic jams”.
• Some staff members expressed concern about media center on the first floor. Some
feel it is better located on second floor for students. Mr. Lowndes noted that the
media center is used 3 nights a week for after hours activities and would be more
secure on the first level.
• Staff preferred Guidance on courtyard, with natural light.
For Option 1b:
• Science being split up would require chemicals and equipment to be transported
between floors. Staff recommended the design team investigate having elevator
close to the science areas.
• Staff expressed concern about special education classrooms being near the dining
area. The design team will investigate other locations for special education.
• Staff expressed concern about the lack of classrooms at the first floor. Many were
concerned that this may cause “traffic jams” with student class changes on the
second and third floors, where most of the academic classrooms are located. In
addition, the loop around the courtyard provides little congestion relief for potential
“traffic jams”.
• Some staff members expressed concern about media center on the first floor. Some
feel it is better located on second floor for students. Mr. Lowndes noted that the
media center is used 3 nights a week for after hours activities and would be more
secure on the first level.
• Staff expressed concern about the amount of natural light in the Guidance area.
For Option 1c
• Science being split up would require chemicals and equipment to be transported
between floors. Staff recommended the design team investigate having elevator
close to the science areas.
• Staff expressed concern about special education classrooms being near the dining
area. The design team will investigate other locations for special education.
• Staff noted that the cross corridor relieved concerns about “traffic jams” with student
class changes.
• Staff was concerned about the size of the courtyards. The cross corridor and
classrooms reduce the size of the courtyards significantly.
• Some staff members expressed concern about media center on the first floor. Some
feel it is better located on second floor for students. Mr. Lowndes noted that the
media center is used 3 nights a week for after hours activities and would be more
secure on the first level.
Wheaton High School Modernization
Schematic Design Meeting No. 4
Page No. 3
• Staff expressed concern about the amount of natural light in the Guidance area.
For the Site Development:
• Staff was concerned about a location for the discus throwing cage. The design
team will investigate.
• Concern was expressed about security at the stadium. The design team noted that
the enclosure of the stadium would be fully reviewed with staff at a later phase.
4.8
The team will continue to develop Option 1a. The child development will continue to be
developed on the northeast side of the building. Special education will be relocated away
from the dining area.
NEXT MEETING:
1.
The next schematic design meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, March 22, 2012, at
6:30 p.m. at Wheaton High School Media Center.
THESE NOTES ARE THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE MEETING AND REPRESENT THE UNDERSTANDING OF
THE WRITER OF ITEMS DISCUSSED AND DECISIONS MADE DURING THIS MEETING. WE SHALL ASSUME
OUR UNDERSTANDING TO BE CORRECT UNLESS WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE CONTRARY IS BROUGHT TO OUR
ATTENTION WITHIN SEVEN DAYS.
Author: Don Porter
DRP/drp
J:\proj\2012\21202.10\Docs\04-Meeting Minutes\2012-0308 SD Meeting #4\WHS 030812-sd04.doc
Project Name:
Wheaton High School Modernization
Date: March 8, 2012
Mr./Ms
./Mrs./ Name
Dr. First
Last
Representing
Alvarez
Wheaton High School
2 Mrs. Patty
Broda
Wheaton High School
3 Mr.
Bart
Brooks
Wheaton High School
4 Ms.
Laura
Brown
Wheaton High School
5 Ms.
Karen
Burlingame
Grimm and Parker Architects
6 Ms.
Heather
Carias
Wheaton High School
7 Mr.
Dennis F.
Cross
MCPS Division of Construction
8 Mr.
Bob
Durbin
Wheaton High School
9 Mr.
Donald
Farb
Wheaton High School
10 Mr.
John
Gallagher
11 Ms.
Jean
Gries
Wheaton High School
Montgomery County Dept. of
Transportation
12 Ms.
Melanie
Hennigan
Grimm and Parker Architects
13 Ms.
DeAngela
Hill
Wheaton High School
14 Mr.
John
Hydro
Community Member
15 Ms.
Joan
Locastro
Wheaton High School
16 Mr.
Kevin
Lowndes
Principal - Wheaton High School
17 Ms.
Kerri
Mullins
Wheaton High School
18 Mr.
Steve
Parker
Grimm and Parker Architects
19 Mr.
Don
Porter
20 Mr.
Joe
Pospisil
Grimm and Parker Architects
Montgomery County Dept. of
Transportation
21 Ms.
Andrea
Robertson
Wheaton High School
22 Dr.
Maura
Ryan
Wheaton High School
23 Mr.
Nick
Saylor
Grimm and Parker Architects
24 Ms.
Paola
Scazzoli
Wheaton High School
25 Mr.
Dave
Shaffner
Wheaton High School
26 Ms.
Talia
Shnider
Wheaton High School
27 Mr.
Michael
Shpur
MCPS
1 Ms.
Rose
Project Name:
Wheaton High School Modernization
Date: March 8, 2012
Mr./Ms
./Mrs./ Name
Dr. First
Last
Representing
Storms
Maryland State Department of Education
29 Mrs. Sandra
Sundlof
Wheaton High School
30 Mr.
Wilmes
Grimm and Parker Architects
28 Ms.
Jillian
Kieran