This project consists of the new construction of a new high school uniquely designed to serve as the center for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in Loudoun County. This 3-story 320,000 sq. ft. building is located on a 119-acre parcel near Ashburn and can accommodate up to 3,000 students. Bowman provided site analysis, including environmental assessment, zoning review, grading and utility studies, and related work during the site acquisition phase. Bowman provided services to Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Planning and Legislative services associated with a commission permit application, final design of the facility and site, along with construction administration.
Project challenges included site constraints and the iterative nature of developing a fully new school program and building, for which no prototype had been developed. To address these issues, Bowman developed constraints maps that could be used by both LCPS staff and the architect. These constraints maps reflect areas of environmental concern such as extensive wetland, floodplain, and streams. They also depict other constraints such as a gas transmission line, the regulated slopes, and zoning setbacks. This has allowed the architect and LCPS to better understand where development should be focused within the site and meet their goals to contribute to their design. After a two-year construction administration period with various coordination efforts with our subconsultants, contractors and LCPS, the school opened in the Fall of 2018.