$85 Million High School Renovation Begins in Massachusetts

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Construction is under way at Cambridge Ridge and Latin High School, where an $85 million project will renovate 400,000 square feet of academic space.

The original plans included replacement of the facility’s HVAC systems, roof and windows and related fire safety and electrical work. However, as local firm HMFH Architects began redesign plans, it identified several other needs.

“We began with the investigation of building system replacement needs but were able to expand our approach to address operational, educational and community needs,” says George Metzger, president of HMFH.

The firm obtained grants from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Renewable Energy Trust for $400,000 to install a 30 kW photovoltaic rooftop solar panel array, which will display solar energy use for educational programs, according to officials. When renovations are completed, the school will pursue LEED Silver certification.

The school, built in 1933 and expanded in 1978, will be divided into four small learning communities. Incoming ninth-grade classes will be placed off campus in a nearby empty elementary school building during the first year of construction.

The project is similar to renovations completed by HMFH at the Cambridge War Memorial Recreation Center, which sits adjacent to the high school, according to officials.

The center was also in need of a complete HVAC system replacement. The center, built in the 1950s, also received new entrances, new locker and shower facilities, and administrative offices and classrooms for high school and recreation department programs, according to officials.

More than 2,000 students utilize the center daily, and it functions as the city’s central community athletic facility, according to officials.