The Academy for Advanced and Creative Learning (AcademyACL) is a K-8 Charter School which has been operating under the authorization of D11 for over 10 years. They have a unique curriculum designed for gifted learners with an active, invested community and board. AcademyACL’s facilities were originally built in 1955 and with no air conditioning system, it was in desperate need of upgrades to improve the learning environment, safety and comfort of the 300 students and staff.

The project consisted of renovations of finishes, technology and MEP with fire upgrades that were made to the entire existing building while adding five classrooms, student and faculty restrooms, a gymnasium with a teaching platform and an administrative suite with a security vestibule. Due to the unique curriculum for advanced and gifted learners, the classroom renovations included special whiteboards, technology and AV as well as customizable lighting. The school decided on a VRF mechanical system since the ceiling heights were quite low in the original classrooms. Nunn helped FBT with site investigations and coordination to find enough space for the new mechanical system layout. The new gym addition was cooled through a new DX RTU.

The work was performed over multiple phases to avoid disruption to the school operations. The play area was on the other side of the addition construction zone so Nunn constructed a safe walkway for students to use at recess with rumble strips and gates to stop construction traffic.

A new addition that would accommodate the growing needs of the school and update an aging facility were met and Nunn worked with FBT and the Academy to ensure that we were able to accommodate unique classroom types and staff and worked to update and renovate existing classrooms based on their needs. Previously the building had an undersized gym and the full-size gymnasium will better help prepare the school’s 6th-8th graders more adequately to compete at the high school level.

• Modernization of 1950’s building & addition completed on an occupied campus
• Hands-on-learning classrooms to meet needs of gifted and talented charter school