For over 35 years, Gilbert Architects has been a full-service architectural firm devoted exclusively to planning and designing educational facilities for clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

exterior of new high school with featured entrance and flags flying above

View Photos

 
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high school library with curved ceiling clad in wood panels
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high school gymnasium with red design accents from bleachers
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high school lgi or lecture hall with tiered seating and red carpet
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high school pool from bleachers
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high school science lab classroom with lab tables and desks
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high school auditorium with stage and red curtain
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high school exterior with tiered curved roofline
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high school cafeteria with curved ceiling and large window

City

Fort Washington, PA

Size

363,037 s.f.

Grades

9 – 12

Project Features

  • LEED Gold
  • Phase 1 – Athletic Wing features: 1,500-seat gymnasium, natatorium with 10-lane 35-meter pool, fitness room, trainer/team room. OPENED December 2009
  • Phase 2 – Academic Wing features: 87 interactive classrooms, media center, technology forum room & video conferencing, cafeteria with kitchen, administration and guidance suites, full wireless access. OPENED January 2011
  • Phase 3 – Performing Arts Center features: theatre/auditorium, black box theatre, band, orchestra & chorus classrooms, music theory lab, two-dimensional art classrooms, digital media lab. OPENED September 2012

Upper Dublin High School – LEED Gold

Finding the best location for the construction of a new 1,600-student 9–12 high school to replace the existing school was determined to be in its current location, which required careful planning to minimize disruption.

To create an educational zone separate from the construction zone, existing modular classrooms were relocated on-site, supplemented by a new 2-story structure of modular classrooms for a total of 40 temporary classrooms.

The first half of the existing building that was demolished housed general classrooms, an auxiliary gym, and the pool. This made way for the construction of a new athletic wing and the general classroom wings. The athletic wing was the first phase of construction to open for student and community use after 1-1/2 years of construction. The new state-of-the-art facility included the main gymnasium with seating for 1,500 spectators; a natatorium with a 10-lane, 35-meter/25-yard swimming pool with a movable bulkhead and diving boards; an auxiliary gymnasium; weight training/fitness room; wrestling room; trainer room; team rooms and locker rooms.

One year later, the second phase of construction opened 87 classrooms, including science rooms; the new main entrance, administrative offices and guidance suite; media center; technology forum room for large group instruction and video conferencing; and the cafeteria with kitchen and serving areas. Once the students were relocated to the new construction, the remaining second half of the existing building was demolished.

The performing arts wing opened a year and a half later featuring an 800-seat auditorium; a black box theater, set and scene shop; band, orchestra and chorus classrooms; two-dimensional art classrooms; music theory lab; photography lab and dark room; and a digital media lab and broadcasting studio.

The main entrance to the school is linked by a civic plaza and has limited visitor parking to allow for more green space. The majority of the parking is located in the back of the building to support staff and student parking, as well as parking for the adjacent athletic fields. Bus drop-off is located in back of the building adjacent to the cafeteria and parent drop-off is provided at either the athletic or performing arts sides of the building.