Category Archives: Building Investigation and Pre Design Services

Haddonfield Public Schools – Bond Referendum

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Photos by Matt Wargo

The Haddonfield Public School District, located in Camden County, NJ, delivers K-12 education to 2,700 students in four schools. The District schools occupy approximately 20 acres of land with a total of 461,400 square feet of building space.

The iconic Haddonfield Memorial High School, constructed in 1927, and the Elizabeth Haddon Elementary school, constructed in 1913, are excellent examples of colonial design and contribute to the historic Architecture of Haddonfield.

Becica Associates provided Architectural and Engineering services for the project, which included a detailed condition assessment and project formation study as part of the District’s long-range planning efforts. BA’s study prioritized facility needs to address aging infrastructure, building façade and structural deterioration, classroom air conditioning, and upgrades to educational space.

Reconstruction, renovations, and repairs were needed at the Haddonfield Memorial High School and Stadium, Central Elementary/Haddonfield Middle School, Elizabeth Haddon Elementary School, and J. Fithian Tatem Elementary School. Restoration work required careful detailing and material selection to preserve the historic character of the schools. Work generally included masonry façade restoration and complete exterior wall replacement, structural repairs, and window and roof replacement. Upgrades to heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, and building automation control systems were also included. Site work consisted of replacement of underground utilities, storm drainage, sidewalks, and vehicular drop-off areas.

Pinelands Regional High School

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Pinelands Regional School District, Little Egg Harbor, NJ, provides 7-12 education to 1,600 students in two schools.

The Pinelands Regional High School was constructed in 1978 during a period of rapid growth in the region. The school serves roughly 800 students in 193,000 square feet of building space with 55,400 square feet of exterior wall area.

Alerted by the telltale signs of moisture intrusion and underlying deterioration of the façade, the District retained Becica Associates to evaluate the condition of the building’s façade.  BA performed several investigations which revealed deterioration of the plaster soffits and brick masonry veneer and significant primary structural steel corrosion. Critically affected portions of the building were deemed unsafe to occupy.

As a subconsultant to Garrison Architects, Becica Associates provided design and construction phase services for work on 55,404 square feet of exterior wall and 800 square feet of concrete floor slabs and related steel beam floor framing. All exterior doors, windows, and brick veneer were replaced. New continuous air barrier cavity insulation and drainage systems were installed. Approximately 15,000 square feet of full thickness exterior wall was replaced. Remaining exterior CMU backup wall was braced or reinforced for resistance to wind pressures.

George L. Catrambone Elementary School – Energy Star Certification

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glc-energy-star-certification

Achieved through sound design of efficient building systems; including water source heat pumps, heat recovery, water conserving fixtures, and daylighting controls; an enhanced building thermal envelope with continuous air barrier systems, solar shading, and high performance glazing; and the careful detailing of interfacing facade components combined with the Owner’s building operations and energy management planning has contributed to the George L. Catrambone Elementary School’s EPA’s ENERGY STAR Certification! A true testament of the school’s performance!

Haddonfield Public Schools Bond Referendum Approved!

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Becica Associates is pleased to announce that the Haddonfield residents approved all three components of the 2016 Bond Referendum! This is an exciting time for the Haddonfield Public Schools, residents and most importantly the students! Read all about the voting results and the Board of Education’s enthusiasm published by The Haddonfield Sun. Supporting documents for the Referendum can be found here.

George L. Catrambone Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!

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Becica Associates LLC is proud to announce Governor Chris Christie’s celebratory opening and the successful completion of the George L. Catrambone Elementary School.  Becica Associates was responsible for the design of the new 109,000 square foot Elementary School in Long Branch, New Jersey.  Completion on time and under budget is indicative of the successful collaboration of all team members involved.   Check out the State of New Jersey, Office of the Governor’s website posting.

The cost effective design not only meets the District’s educational curriculum and provides high level building security but also incorporates many sustainable technologies and systems, just a few of which include high efficiency HVAC and plumbing systems, a high performance building envelope, daylighting controls and sustainable materials.

The academic wings were designed with exterior views in all learning spaces and were arranged to offer quiet zones for learning, buffered from the active assembly areas and music rooms.  Pre-K and K classrooms are located adjacent to the outdoor playground, complete with a safety surfacing system.  Interior and exterior performance areas, a courtyard classroom and flexible multi-use spaces all provide students with enhanced learning opportunities.

Union City High School Mural

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Final Image

Becica Associates designed and managed the installation of a permanent mural on the facade of the Union City High School. The mural was painted on rain screen metal wall panels.  Art work was designed by the Union City High School graphics art teacher, drawn by the art students, painted by a professional painter and installed by a contractor.  The abstract colorful mural is a further enhancement of the Union City Student Sanctuary.

Rosa International Middle School

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Before
After

Cherry Hill Public Schools, Cherry Hill, NJ

Originally built in early 1960s and known at the time as New Jersey’s most inexpensively built school building, the original facade consisted of un-insulated glass in an aluminum store front system.  Over the years numerous renovation projects further depleted the facade’s ability to resist water and air penetration. BA studied various renovation options leading up to the recommendation to replace the aluminum store front with an externally insulated rain screen metal panel covered steel stud wall system replacing continuous fenestration with high performance punch windows.  The facade replacement project has greatly reduced building heating loss.

Volkswagen Distribution Center

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VWA capital repair project of 928,000 square foot distribution center for automobile parts to correct over 28,000 feet of concrete fractures/cracks in 130,000 square feet of precast-prestressed concrete wall panels.  Repairs were necessary to protect the durability and structural safety of the wall panels, the weather resistant integrity of the building envelope and restore the originally intended aesthetics of the façade.

Cherry Hill High School East – Brick Masonry Facade Replacement

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Brick Masonry Facade Replacement, Cherry Hill High School EastBecica Associates provided facade condition assessment, design and construction administration services for Cherry Hill Board of Education at High School East.  The repair option chosen was a complete facade replacement using reinforced brick masonry veneer.  Project included the reconstruction of the entire wall, including portions of the back-up wall, cavity drainage systems, and energy efficient window systems.

5000 Boardwalk Condominiums

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Becica Associates provided condition assessment, forensic engineering, design and construction administration for this 20-story residential condominium building in Ventnor, New Jersey, that houses 324 units built in 1970.  Pedestrian hazards created by falling concrete from balcony beam soffits prompted BA’s involvement. BA completed a number of investigations including load testing of balconies to determine the cause of the failures.  Design for balcony repairs included replacing edge beam concrete while maintaining existing balcony slabs, new balcony coatings, guard rails and sliding glass doors.

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Additional projects included pool deck repairs, a new front entry Porte Cochere, roof replacement, roof top cooling tower replacement and mechanical penthouse exterior wall over cladding.

Cumberland Regional School District

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CRSD PhotovaltaicBecica Associates provided pre-design, design, and construction administration services on this 194,900 square foot roof cover replacement and a new photovoltaic (PV) array.  BA implemented a two-phase approach for this project.  During phase one, a condition assessment of the existing roof and exterior rising walls was performed to determine the scope of work and roof replacement selection.  A fiberglass reinforced modified bitumen roofing system, with a puncture and fatigue-resistant membrane with high tensile strength, was selected to provide a durable and long lasting roofing surface.  During Phase 2, the photovoltaic solar panel system pictured here with the capacity of producing 200 kilowatts of output was installed on a steel-framed canopy over existing parking lot areas.

Bridgeton Board of Education – Jim Hursey Memorial Stadium

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BPS Stadium 201225-1The Bridgeton High School Athletic Complex Master Plan included replacement of the 1939 vintage stadium with a barrier-free compliant 1,300 seat grandstand and press-box, a synthetic all-purpose turf field, all-weather running track, long and high jump and pole vault events.  Other features include public toilet rooms, home and visiting team locker rooms, elevator access to upper cross walk and barrier-free seating, utility and support spaces.

Bridgeton High School Media Center

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Bridgeton BOE Media Center 2Becica Associates provided Architectural and Engineering Services for the design of a 6,500 square foot Instructional Media Center and elevator addition. Managed and funded by New Jersey Schools Development Authority, the building includes: Computer classroom, book stack areas, quiet reading spaces, constructed as a multi-use flexible, learning space created by a long clear span acoustically dampened structure.

Folsom Board of Education

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FolsomBecica Associates provided design services for a 22,000 square foot addition and renovations to the existing facilities.  The completed facility was expanded to include: New science, art and music classrooms, gymnasium/multi-purpose room, full service kitchen, locker rooms, toilet rooms, physical education office, and staff room and new front canopy entrance. Renovations included:  Roof replacement and complete facade renovation and HVAC replacements, new bus loop, barrier-free curb ramps and sidewalks, storm drainage and utility systems work.

Millville Early Childhood Center

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Becica Associates was engaged by New Jersey School Construction Corporation to evaluate the adaptive reuse and expansion of an existing office building into a 615 student Early Childhood Center for the Millville School District.  Alterations included reconfiguring 61,000 SF of space to accommodate 29 classrooms, parent and teacher meeting rooms, gross motor skills rooms, a full service kitchen, a wellness center, administrative and support areas.  New construction included a 23,000 SF addition containing 12 classrooms as well as a multi-use space.  Restoration included a complete facade replacement.

Cherry Hill High School West

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Becica Associates designed the new Cherry Hill High School West auditorium to accommodate a prominent performing arts program and to modernize the existing band and practice rooms. The 25,000 square foot fully air-conditioned facility although separate was integrated into the existing campus-like setting of the High School. House seating totals 1,005 in a side entry format. Stage area includes 3,300 square feet with a fully fly-loft space. A recessed orchestra pit seats 50 musicians. Back stage areas include set production, dressing rooms, storage and a vocal music classroom. State of the art production lighting and sound systems were also installed.

Robins’ Nest

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Robin's NestRobins’ Nest is a charity organization located in Glassboro, NJ whose mission is to insure the safety of children and enhance their well-being in a family setting.  Becica Associates LLC designed a new building to provide much needed space for an expanding counselor and administrative staff.  BA was selected as a “partner” to help improve the organization’s facilities.