In a bid to foster environmental awareness and educate young minds on sustainable energy solutions, George McMahon, Construction Site Manager at VERTEX, took the initiative to teach elementary students about renewable energy sources. The insightful session took place back in March 2023 at Hanlon Elementary School in Westwood, MA.
During the educational event, George (the On-Site Manager for VERTEX’s ongoing project at the Hanlon Elementary School) shared knowledge about Geothermal, Solar, and Natural Gas energy sources, particularly in the context of the new school building that was being constructed right behind their existing school. This new project, managed by VERTEX under the Compass name is part of the Town of Westwood’s plan to replace the current Hanlon School while considering the consolidation of two elementary schools into a single institution.
More about the Hanlon Deerfield Elementary School Project
The preferred selection approved by the Town involved the consolidation of the Hanlon and Deerfield schools into one state-of-the-art 560-student school. With a budget of $88 million and a size of 113,000 square feet, the new school will boast modern education spaces and community amenities, including a spacious gym and a 11×7 soccer field. The school’s focus on sustainability is evident, as it will be a Net Zero Ready facility with a project Energy Use Intensity of 22 KBtu/Sf/yr and a geothermal well system. The goal is to make it one of the most energy-efficient schools in Massachusetts.
Notably, the project pays special attention to indoor air quality, exceeding the CDC standards for pandemic control, such as the measures taken for COVID. Additionally, given the volatile cost and supply chain issues affecting the construction economy, the project underwent strict budget management to ensure its success.
The Town of Westwood successfully secured funding for the project in Fall 2021, and the groundbreaking took place in Spetember 2022. Once completed, the school is expected to open its doors to students in the Spring of 2024.
To learn more about the project and the work contributed by VERTEX, interested readers can access the full project profile here.
As part of their dedication to community engagement and education, George and Chin Lin, the Senior Project Manager, also took 40 teachers on a tour of the building while it was under construction. The enthusiastic teachers proudly wore VERTEX and Compass hard hats during the enlightening visit, further reinforcing VERTEX’s commitment to sustainability and knowledge sharing.
To learn more about VERTEX’s Owner’s Representation services or to speak with a Construction Expert, call 888.298.5162 or submit an inquiry.
