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05.13.2021

City School District of Albany Opens New Music and Art Addition

The City School District of Albany has officially opened its new music and art classroom addition, marking the completion of Phase 2 of the multi-phased $179.9 million renovation and expansion of Albany High School.

Construction took place over the past two years, beginning in June 2019 and reaching completion in January 2021. The new two-story, 39,000 sf addition extends east from the auditorium toward the athletic field and houses the district’s art and music departments. Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows for abundant natural daylight, large instructional and rehearsal spaces, and specialized technology to accommodate new programs, the addition fosters creativity, enhances student well-being, and mirrors a professional environment to promote future-readiness.

Music

  • Three large rehearsal classrooms for band, orchestra, and chorus, each with two small practice rooms
  • Increased instrument storage space
  • Acoustical design for optimal sound quality
  • New recording, playback, and sound technology
  • MIDI computer lab
  • Recording studio with booth

Art

  • Three studio art classrooms
  • Two 3D art classrooms
  • One 2D art classroom with a paint spray booth
  • Faculty storage room/work area
  • Ceiling-suspended pulldown power cords

CSArch also provided the MEP engineering design, which included mechanical units, a variable air volume (VAV) system, demand control ventilation (DCV), a complete fire alarm and sprinkler system, and architectural lighting and power solutions to support a modern learning environment. Fabric ductwork suspended within the art classrooms is a quiet, aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional ductwork and delivers uniform, comfortable air dispersion.

    Approved by voters in February 2016, the comprehensive and transformative project to rebuild Albany High School was the result of an extensive planning process involving community members, faculty, students, parents, and administration to imagine and plan for what a high school should be in the 21st century.

    Encompassing renovations to approximately 300,400 sf of existing space and nearly 250,000 sf of new construction, the project will be completed in four phases with final completion scheduled for 2025. In the end, the new high school will project a modern, forward-thinking student and community focused facility that integrates career and technical education, small learning academies, student support and health services, and classrooms that support 21st century learning.

    Click here to learn more about the project to rebuild Albany High School.

    The project team is made up of CSArch, Architecture and MEP Engineering; Turner Construction, Construction Management; CHA, Site/Civil/Structural Engineering; Jersen Construction Group, General Contractor; Digesare Mechanical, Inc., Mechanical Contractor; SH&E, Electrical Contractor; T. Lemme Mechanical, Inc., Plumbing Contractor; Condor Fire Sprinkler Co., Fire Protection Contractor; M. Sullivan Construction, Site Contractor.