Turner Construction Company Tops Out First Net Zero School in Arizona

TEMPE, Ariz., Dec. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Turner Construction Company, Arizona will celebrate the Topping Out of the new innovative Colonel Smith Middle School today, Monday, December 12 at 2:30 pm.  The public, replacement school is being built on Fort Huachuca, the Army's leading intelligence training facility at 155 Carter Avenue, Fort Huachuca, Arizona 85670.  The new Colonel Smith Middle School will be Arizona's first Net Zero Energy Building in Arizona and 12th in the nation.  The $17M school will generate more energy than it consumes on an annual basis through its energy-efficient design, solar potable water heating, photovoltaic panels, and wind machines.

Today's topping out ceremony attendees will include: School Superintendent, Dr. Ronda L. Frueauff; five Fort Huachuca School District Board Members; Army Post Commander, Colonel Faulkner; District Project Manager, Tony Wall with 3W Management; representatives from Emc2 Group Architects Planners; and representatives from Fanning/Howey Architects.  The event will include a speaking presentation, and a signing and raising of the final beam.

With an instructional focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), planners of Colonel Smith Middle School complex re-thought the traditional design of educational buildings.  Facilities will support a project-based learning model with flexible common and collaboration spaces, and facilitate learning both indoors and outdoors.  The 88,693 square foot school will accommodate approximately 350 students in grades 6, 7, and 8, primarily children of military families.  

Shawn Rosenberger, General Manager of Turner Construction Company, Arizona, states, "Colonel Smith Middle School defines innovation.  Not only is this one of the few Net Zero buildings in the country, the design is a total transformation from the typical classrooms where most of us went to school.  Turner is proud to be a part of this stellar team and this remarkable project."  

Turner Construction Company maintains a network of 45 offices in the U.S. including a fully-staffed office in Arizona.  The company offers clients the accessibility and support of a local firm with the strength, stability, and resources of a national corporation.  Turner Construction Company is a leader in all major market segments of the building construction field.  For more information, visit www.turnerconstruction.com/tempe.

Media Contact: Beth Binger
BCI
Mobile: (619) 987-6658
[email protected]

SOURCE Turner Construction Company