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July 23, 2020
Grant High School Modernization
Location: Portland
Contractor: Western Partitions Inc.
Architect: Mahlum
Team: International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Plasterers Local 82, Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, CWallA, GTS Interior Supply, Knez Building Materials Co., L&W Supply, Nathan Kimmel Co. LLC, Spears Construction Supply, Steeler, Valhalla Construction Products, Western Materials, Armstrong World Industries, CertainTeed Gypsum, ClarkDietrich/Vinyl Corp., Clinch-On Cornerbead, Fry Reglet, F-Sorb, Hamilton Drywall Products, HILTI, Rockfon, SCAFCO Steel Stud Co., Simpson Strong-Tie, Steeler, Trim-Tex, USG Building Systems
Originally built in 1923, with three major additions later, Grant High School in Portland is about 284,000 square feet of both renovated and new construction.
Western Partitions joint-ventured with Andersen Construction and Colas Construction on the renovation and additions. The design team wanted to preserve as much of the existing plaster architectural features as possible for historical value. As with any remodel, many unforeseen conditions emerged, including additions not lining up correctly.
WPI crews installed almost 8,000 square feet of perforated gypsum ceilings in common areas. In the auditorium, the historic, barrel-vaulted ceiling was redone with BASWA Phon Acoustical Sound Plaster, becoming the architectural highlight of the project. A Panel Max drywall milling system was used onsite to create custom gypsum break-shape pieces, limiting the need for corner bead and trim for different locations. WPI also applied a variety of paint and coating finishes.
Challenges to the job included: aligning multiple buildings; meeting current ADA requirements; and protecting original murals, ornamental plaster cornices, ceilings, and columns. Since the school is located in a residential area, parking was a challenge with as many as 350 workers onsite. But the completion date was met, getting students back in the building for the 2019-2020 school year.
Judges’ comment: “The restoration and preservation of Grant High School took meticulous planning and skilled execution. The work done to restore the barrel ceiling in the auditorium is a remarkable achievement.”
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