Creating sustaining environments for ongoing learning

In collaboration with DLR Group, Swinerton provided general contracting services for Denver Public Schools’ (DPS) Responsive Arts & STEAM Academy, a transformative project that marks the first all-electric school for DPS and one of the first schools in Colorado to leverage mass timber construction.

As the largest school district in Colorado, DPS serves over 93,000 students in 207 schools. DPS is leading change with an ambitious climate action plan that aligns with the City and County of Denver’s overall goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 65% by 2030. The Responsive Arts & STEAM Academy is the foremost school in this initiative, featuring mass timber elements and sustainable all-electric design. In addition to these sustainability goals, the district aimed to complete the project’s first phase by July 2024—just in time for upcoming school year.

Swinerton provided design-assist services during preconstruction, imparting valuable insights on constructability, budget, and scheduling concerns. The original structural design called for the use of long-span steel joists; however, these came with a lead time of more than nine months. To help the district meet its schedule, Swinerton engaged Timberlab to discuss the feasibility and benefits of incorporating mass timber into the design to complement the precast concrete elements. Together, the two firms and the DLR team shortened procurement lead times by two months by replacing long-span steel joists with glued laminated timber (glulam) and cross-laminated timber (CLT) decking. The team also identified other strategic locations to use glulam and CLT, including the gymnasium and common area. The final design is highlighted by an exposed mass timber vaulted ceiling that spans an open two-story space.

In addition to Swinerton’s longstanding expertise and continued success with mass timber construction, the firm’s self-perform capabilities allowed the team to maintain the schedule, maximize the budget, and ensure high quality and safety standards. Swinerton self-performed concrete slab-on-grade, drywall and framing, firestopping, specialties, stormwater, and cleanup.

In late 2023, DPS received funding for a second phase at the Responsive Arts & STEAM Academy campus. The district awarded Swinerton and DLR Group the expansion project thanks to their success on the first phase. The new 35,000-squarefoot classroom building will provide additional capacity to support middle school students.

Having Swinerton on board as general contractor for Phase 1 allowed for construction to wrap up seamlessly, and has allowed Swinerton and DLR Group to bring their expertise and experience to bear on the earliest stages of concept design for Phase 2. Swinerton’s project team is remaining onsite and will begin construction in fall 2024.