Blackney Hayes Architects announced that their project, AIM Academy in Manayunk, has opened. A school for bright children in grades 1-12 with learning differences, AIM Academy in Manayunk is located in Conshohocken, Pa.
Originally an 18th century paper mill, the buildings were converted to office space by Blackney Hayes in 1999. When AIM considered relocating from its Manayunk location, Blackney Hayes was able to recommend the space, which had been vacated in 2010. The firm’s familiarity with the building systems streamlined further conversion to a school. Opened on Jan. 3, the 63,500 sf building allows AIM to consolidate its previous two locations under one roof, with room to expand in the future.
The facility contains nontraditional classrooms for collaborative learning, an arts and music wing, cafeteria, and state-of-the-art global resource center with state of the art technology. The interior design includes carpet with 65% recycled content, light fixtures reused from the existing building, and natural light in most of the occupied spaces. Walls and floors are covered with bright, warm shades of green, yellow and orange. Some of the furniture was repurposed, with a portion coming from a pharmaceutical company that had recently closed and some from the existing school. The AIM Institute for Learning and Research is housed in the separate professional development wing of the building with multiple hi-tech training rooms. A soccer field and gymnasium / performing arts center are planned for Phase 2. BD+C
Related Stories
| Apr 5, 2013
'My BIM journey' – 6 lessons from a BIM/VDC expert
Gensler's Jared Krieger offers important tips and advice for managing complex BIM/VDC-driven projects.
| Apr 5, 2013
Commercial greenhouse will top new Whole Foods store in Brooklyn
Whole Foods and partner Gotham Greens will create a 20,000-sf greenhouse atop one of the retailer's Brooklyn supermarkets. Expected to open this fall, the facility will supply produce to nine Whole Foods stores in metro New York City.
| Apr 5, 2013
Projected cost for Apple's Campus 2 balloons to $5 billion
Campus 2, Apple Inc.'s proposed ring-shaped office facility in Cupertino, Calif., could cost $5 billion to build, according to a report by Bloomberg.
| Apr 5, 2013
Extreme LEGO: Wondrous micro city built out of 200,000 blocks
Master LEGO builder Mike Doyle unveils his latest creation, an out-of-this-world micro city that celebrates peaceful alien contact.
| Apr 3, 2013
AIA CES class: Sealant repairs that last – hybrid sealants for building restoration
It is hard to talk about restoration without talking about sustainability. This two-hour interactive online course discusses the role that restoration can and does play in the arena of sustainability, and specifically the role that sealants play in sustainable design and repair.
| Apr 3, 2013
Construction spending up 20% since 2011, growth will continue, says Gilbane report
The monthly rate of construction spending is up 20% in 24 months and increased in 18 of the last 24 months, which is a good leading indicator for new construction work in Q3-Q4 2013, according to Gilbane's latest Market Conditions in Construction report.
| Apr 3, 2013
5 award-winning modular buildings
The Modular Building Institute recently revealed the winners of its annual Awards of Distinction contest. There were 42 winners in all across six categories. Here are five projects that caught our eye.
| Apr 2, 2013
6 lobby design tips
If you do hotels, schools, student unions, office buildings, performing arts centers, transportation facilities, or any structure with a lobby, here are six principles from healthcare lobby design that make for happier users—and more satisfied owners.
| Apr 2, 2013
4 hospital lobbies provide a healthy perspective
A carefully considered entry zone can put patients at ease while sending a powerful branding message for your healthcare client. Our experts show how to do it through four project case studies.
| Apr 2, 2013
Green building consultant explores the truth about green building performance in new book
A new book from leading sustainability, green building author and expert Jerry Yudelson challenges assumptions about the value of sustainable design and environmentally-friendly buildings.