Harding High School
Area: 208,000 Square Feet
Completion: 2018
DESCRIPTION
Harding High School is a public high school in Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States. The City of Bridgeport awarded this new high school project to Antinozzi Associates in 2011, accommodating an 1,150 student enrollment anticipated for the 2018-2019 school year. The current school’s age, outdated technology, insufficient classroom space, and poor ventilation throughout the facility required updating and improvement beyond simply renovation.
FEATURES
The new 208,000 SF building was constructed on a site adjacent to the existing school and included state-of-the-art computer labs, virtual and traditional science labs, a graphics lab, music rooms, art classrooms, a new mentor program area, and additional educational and athletic spaces. The $80M construction budget featured a state-of-the-art performance auditorium and media center spaces, as well as a fully functional mini-health services center. It was sub-divided into two academic levels to ensure student needs are appropriately met.
The very tight urban site, formerly occupied by a factory, required a four-story design solution. The upper two levels are now occupied by classrooms arranged around a “Collabagora” (this term combines “collaboration” and the Greek word “agora”). The Collabagora is open between both academic levels, enabling light to flood the central portion of the building and create a visual connection between floors.
During summer and non-peak school hours, the facility will be used for after-school programs, civic youth programs, community events, and other neighborhood events as necessary. Additionally, new state-of-the art athletic fields were constructed as part of the project. The entire facility met LEED Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, ensuring the building is low maintenance and environmentally-friendly.
AWARDS
– 2020 ACEC/CT Engineering Excellence Merit Award
