St. Margaret Mary School - Penbrook, Pennsylvania


While temporary classrooms were adequate, school officials were also anxious to resume the more normal activities that would come with a permanent facility. Therefore, they wanted a construction solution that was both affordable and fast.

After a fire destroyed the newly completed section of St. Margaret Mary School in Penbrook, Pennsylvania, the school needed a solution, as the damaged section required massive demolition, debris removal, and new construction.

School was in session, and, therefore, students had been displaced.

The scope of the project would take quite some time to complete, and this created serious challenges for administrators.

The Need
The unforeseen tragedy created two challenges for the school.

First, displaced students needed immediate temporary space so that classes could resume. Since school was in session, time was of the essence.

Second, the school needed to address the massive undertaking to rebuild.

While temporary classrooms were adequate, school officials were also anxious to resume the more normal activities that would come with a permanent facility. Therefore, they wanted a construction solution that was both affordable and fast.

The Solution
Williams Scotsman provided the school with temporary classrooms within four days of the fire.

With the immediate need satisfied, they began work on the permanent building extension. Using turn-key construction, an eight-section, 5,760-square-foot Redi-Plex building was installed.

The building had a suspended acoustical ceiling, vinyl covered gypsum walls, insulated windows and steel exterior doors. Williams Scotsman installed recessed fluorescent emergency and exit lighting. The building was equipped with HVAC systems, fire alarms, a paging system, data cabling and a complete security system.

Williams Scotsman constructed a corridor, linking the new building with the existing school. The exterior of the building was finished with Dura-Temp siding, which was painted to blend with the main school building. Custom decking, ramps and skirting were installed to complete the project.

The Result
“Even the diocese was floored by the quality of the work. Inside and out, the extension is well built and has the look of a traditional building,” said Mike Modica, building committee chairman. “We are very proud of the school and the work Williams Scotsman has done for us.”

Williams Scotsman, www.willscot.com, is a leader in the mobile and modular space industry. With their fleet of more than 121,000 mobile offices, classrooms and storage units and their unique Concurrent Construction method available for Modular Buildings, they can provide everything from a simple construction trailer to complex, multi-story buildings.

Fast Facts

School: St. Margaret Mary School

Location: Penbrook, Pennsylvania
                   
Grades Served: K-8

Project Goal: Provide solution after fire damaged school

Challenge: Displaced students needed immediate temporary space so that classes could resume. And, the school needed to address the massive undertaking to rebuild.

Solution: Temporary classrooms satisfied the most immediate need. With the immediate need satisfied, they began work on the permanent building extension. Using turn-key construction, an eight-section, 5,760-square-foot Redi-Plex building was installed.