Skepton Construction builds new school for Hallowell Elementary students

Hatboro-Horsham School District’s Hallowell Elementary School students are enjoying a brand-new and uniquely designed learning environment, thanks to the innovation and expertise of Skepton Construction. The ~95k sq./ft. project involved demolishing the Old Armory Building as well as the existing school structures, and collaborating with architects EI Associate, P.C. to build an entirely new educational facility.

By The Numbers: Project Specs

• As General Contractor and Site Contractor, Skepton Construction completed the ambitious project in two phases:
  • Phase One began in August 2015 and involved demolishing the Old Armory Building and constructing the new school building.
  • Phase Two, demolishing the existing school, began on June 1, 2017, and was completed on schedule on October 15, 2017.
• Construction took place during winter months, with Skepton navigating the challenges of weather as well as geography, as the school sits on the side of a slope. The finished school building has two uniquely finished floor elevations to accommodate the gradation.

Innovative Construction for Energy Efficiency

The new Hallowell Elementary School was constructed with environmental impact in mind and includes several green initiatives:

• Skepton constructed a storm water system with three large UG detention and infiltration basins for efficient water usage and processing.
• The school runs on geothermal energy aided by a specialized Z Girt and Insulation Panel System, called Green Girt, installed behind all the metal panel systems on the building. Green Girt is a continuous insulation system that attaches the cladding and insulation to the building structure. Resistant to moisture and corrosion, Green Girt allows for greater uninterrupted thermal conductivity than steel, significantly enhancing the structure’s energy efficiency.

A Welcoming Learning Environment

It’s not just the building construction that’s green at Hallowell Elementary School, but the students’ view as well. The school is built in two wings, with the classroom wing separated from the cafeteria, gym and administrative areas by a large courtyard. Students and faculty travel between the two wings via an enclosed bridge that overlooks the courtyard from both sides.

Classrooms are also built to be a welcoming learning environment, with each classroom having its own unique color reflected in accent walls and colored terrazzo floors.

With Skepton’s construction of a brand-new, environmentally efficient and welcoming school building, the Hallowell Elementary School community is enjoying a revitalized learning space in the heart of the Hatboro-Horsham School District.

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