Rushforth Construction Co.
Charles Wright Academy upgrades
Architect: BCRA
Owner: Charles Wright Academy
ABC members: Acoustics Northwest, Air Systems Engineering, Democon, Kirby Electric, Tacoma Plumbing & Heating
Rushforth Construction built a lower school addition and remodeled the middle school at Charles Wright Academy. Work was done in three phases, most of it during the school year while the K-12 school was in operation.
The first phase was a 2,500-square-foot middle school addition; the second was a 46,500-square-foot stand-alone new lower school; and the third was the demolition of the existing lower school and construction of three athletic fields in its place.
The new lower school was connected to the middle school by a covered walkway. The new lower school had to be completed by the end of the school year, so the lower school contents could be cleared out and moved to the new building.
During the summer, the lower school was demolished and the new athletic fields constructed.
The middle school addition was built with an exposed concrete slab on grade with brick paver inlays that match the existing construction.
The new lower school has classrooms from kindergarten to fifth grade, as well as a library, music room, large common area and support spaces. This phase of construction was completed in 10 months, mostly while school was in session.
The exterior of the building uses translucent skylight systems for the entry and connector systems between the lower and middle schools, glulam beam exterior trim and structures, cedar trim, aluminum storefront systems, and extensive brick veneer.
The interior of the building includes exposed heavy-timber trusses and architectural grade glulam beams, extensive acoustical measures, fir veneer paneling, solid surface countertops, infrared fixture control and floating steel stairs with glulam treads.
The project had one light-duty accident and no time lost on the job.