Project Name: Big Walnut High School
Owner: Big Walnut Local Schools
Architect: VSWC Architects
CMR: Gilbane Construction Company
Scope: Provide and Install Educational Casework, Telescopic Seating, Auditorium Seating, Science Lab Casework
Completion Date: December 2021
Back in 2017, the Big Walnut Local School District passed a bond levy to build a new high school for the district. Fast forward to the end of 2021, and its vision finally became a reality. The new High School covers over 300,000 square feet, a dramatic increase in size from the previous school. VSWC and Gilbane were awarded contracts to oversee the design and delivery of the project from start to finish. Farnham Equipment Company (FEC) received a sizable contract for several scopes of work for the new building.
Entering the new school, guests will see custom millwork receptionist desks in the office area provided and delivered by Stevens Industries. Throughout the classrooms, science labs, storage rooms, and offices, you will see various configurations of Stevens “Advantage” Casework in a fusion maple laminate finish to complement the school colors. Stevens provided custom laminate tops and end panels for the corridor lockers. In the physics and chemistry labs, “Magnetar” student work tables and lab fume hoods were provided by Institutional Casework Inc. (ICI/Campbell Rhea).
Beyond the entrance, students will make their way to the new gymnasium. The combination of gymnasium and auditorium showcased the versatility and high-end visuals from Hussey Seating Company. The gymnasium features Maxam telescopic bleachers with Hussey’s Signature Logo Option (BWHS lettering on Courtside seats in contrasting school colors). The gym design dictated wall attached seating banks on the main floor and reverse fold seating banks on the upper walkway/balcony. In total, 1,900 students can spectate in the new gymnasium. Reverse fold banks provided adequate flexibility and spacing for the track area above, while not losing the gym’s seating capacity. The new performing arts theater features Hussey’s Quattro seats. These fully upholstered chairs with self-rising seats provide seating for over 800 spectators.
Farnham Equipment Company’s mark on this project is clearly evident. From the classrooms where students learn to the lockers that hold their supplies, and from the tables where students perform science experiments to the seats that they sit on for athletic and performing arts events, FEC’s handprint is all over this new building. And, the high-quality work of FEC’s in-house installation team made all of this possible on this beautiful project!
The full project gallery for Big Walnut High School is documented below.
