Walsh Interior Plans Revealed

A color palette and textures inspired by walks along the Stony Creek Trails and the Stony Creek Quarry along with views of Thimble Islands will serve as the inspiration for the interior of the $88.2 million renovation of the Walsh Intermediate School.

The interior design team from Antinozzi Associates presented a set of plans showing the new design to the Public Building Commission recently. The commission met again last week to review the school’s design development budget and authorized Antinozzi Associates to move on to the construction document phase of the project.

The team consisted of (L‑R) Ashley McGrath, registered interior designer; Brittney Mayo, interior designer; and Patti McKeon, senior associate/registered interior designer.

They said they drew their inspiration for the interior designs of the school as a result of long walks that led them to reflect on Branford’s history.

Mayo led members in a walk through via a detailed display with interior renderings and materials samples for carpeting, furniture, walls, and trims. She said the team ​“took inspiration from the rock formations, sweeping walls, and coloration” from their walks. A specimen tray on display reflected the color palette for the building, which would be accented in the interior design by shades of red, the Walsh school color.

Mayo described the new auditorium (lower left,) as a ​“jewelry box.” She went on to describe its design elements and materials, and took commissions members through the hallway, pointing out the trophy case and the wide-screen electronic information board.

The first level, she said, was inspired by the water, the second level by the landscape, grass, and moss, and the third, by the sky. Along the stairs, were accents of bright yellow that she described as the ​“sun,” a unifying element. Members of the commission commented that the shade of yellow feels ​“a bit abrupt and too bright.” They also noted that the large window accented the stairway looks directly on to the roof and that the view should be more opaque.

In the cafeteria, the blue flooring with tables from the existing school reflect the Thimble Islands. It was suggested that the names of some of the Thimble Islands be incorporated into the design.
 

Mayo said that generally the tables would be maple and chairs, red, as inspired by trail signs.

The second floor materials displayed are various shades of green.

And the third floor will be in shades of blue.

Flooring materials are reminiscent of streambeds, rocks, moss, and water.

To make the information accessible to the public, it was suggested that the displays be recreated for the three elementary schools, Walsh, the library, and the Walsh School Project website.

Walsh State Approval Process

According to Michelle Dixon of the Office of School Construction Grants and Review, the state has not yet acted on the grant application. Typically this office does not act until after the state budget is adopted. That has yet to happen.

Paul Antinozzi of Antinozzi Associates told the Eagle that he remains positive that it will be approved despite the state budget deficit. ​“It’s been in process for two years,” he said.

The Inland Wetlands Commission approved the project on June 9 without conditions. The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, July 6, 7 p.m. at Fire Headquarters, 45 North Main St. 

Design Development Budget Reviewed

Scott Pellman of Collier’s International, the owner’s representative, said Walsh’s design development review will be submitted to the state Tuesday, June 20, for approval at its special session. He said all school projects (there are 30 or 40 of them) are approved at once and that Walsh has ​“the highest priority.”

At the Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, June 21, Superintendent Hamlet Hernandez reported that the documents were indeed submitted to the state in what he called a ​“very successful” meeting. He reiterated that the project is on schedule and that bonding is expected in ​“late June, early-to-mid July.”

The commission reviewed both the budget as it stands now and the timeline through October 2020.

Pellman said that $70,146,900, labeled ​“raw construction costs,” is the ​“target control budget,” adding, ​“We’re in good shape.” The costs itemized included hazardous materials abatement, sitework (beyond 5 feet of the building, including site prep, drives, paths and plazas, parking)), site utility systems (water and fire protection, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, electric, data and communications, site lighting, fuel, utility company charges).

Other costs include subcontractor bonding, state building permits, insurance, and performance bond.

The commission discussed various value engineering options and alternates in terms of their effect on the budget. A change of the entrance sign to brick, lightning protection, and the use of metal studs – all deductions – are within the current budget. Several others, including a leaf pattern addition to exterior panels, a reflective liquid coating over the roof, granite chip addition to the concrete walks and exposed columns, and a change to solid vinyl tile in the cafeteria. The granite chip additions were suggested as a way to incorporate Stony Creek granite into the project, but board member Vin Giordano III, noted that it may be a problem with the concrete contractor, which would probably specify granite from its own sources. 

“Soft costs,” which include wall and floor covering and furnishings, make up the balance of the $88.2 million cost of the project.

Meetings have been held regularly to reconcile the project’s cost, and this reconciliation was current to June 13.

In terms of the timeline, Pellman said the project is on schedule. Construction documents are expected by Oct. 15, 2017; bidding is expected between Dec. 15, 2017, and March 15, 2018. Preparation for Phase 1 construction, the addition, will take place from March 2018 to August 2018, with construction taking place from September 2018 to November 2019, and Phase 2 construction, from January 2020 to November 2020.

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