The Lake Braddock Secondary School Project in Burke, VA was designed by Samaha Associates, PC of Fairfax, VA and involved 80,000 square feet of addition and 520,000 square feet of renovation while the building was occupied by more than 4,000 students.
The renovated facility converted the original “open” plan school, originally built in 1973, into a new state-of-the-art technology driven facility. Departments such as art, music, family studies, drama, automotive shops, design technology and physical education were combined for both middle and high school students with some separation of facilities within the departments. A new centrally located main entrance, with the administration suite located between the middle and high schools, replaces the multiple entry points of the original plan. Guidance offices are divided between the middle and high school and are located in their respective areas to provide easy and direct support to students.
The modernization of Lake Braddock Secondary School transforms an outdated structure into a school designed to meet the needs of 21st century students. In addition to making the building more energy efficient, we also replaced the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and storm water management systems. The building’s organization is more easily adaptable to change with its clear organization and addition of multi-purpose rooms. Although the county did not seek L.E.E.D. (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification, its’ adaptive re-use of the existing material, and its new M.E.P. (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing) Systems would certainly qualify for L.E.E.D. Certification.
The project was completed in a total of 15 separate phases over a 32 month period of construction where the school remained fully operational. To accommodate, a total of 52 trailers were placed on site to temporarily replace instructional space undergoing modernization.
Upon completion Principal Linda Burke stated, “As a result of the multimillion-dollar renovation, Lake Braddock offers students an education in state-of-the-art classrooms in which technology supports a commitment to academic excellence.” Lake Braddock Secondary School is a school in which the dream for success for all students becomes reality.
