Osborn Engineering provided Civil, Structural, MEP, Fire Protection, and Technology engineering services for a new elementary school (Minerva Park) as well as an existing elementary school expansion and major renovation (Annehurst).

Minerva Park is a new elementary school and was the first in the Westerville school system to pursue LEED Version 4.1 Silver Certification. Annehurst underwent a major renovation from an open-architecture, pod-based classroom format to a conventional elementary school with larger classrooms complying with Ohio School Design Manual (OSDM) requirements. A new 12,000 SF wing was added at Annehurst with a new feature main entrance. The property for Minerva Park Elementary faced unique site challenges due to its status as a former golf course. Osborn resolved several site-related issues due to the presence of multiple easements and developed a stormwater discharge plan to accommodate municipality requirements. The 2-story building is a combination of gabled roofs comprised of cold-formed metal trusses to blend into the surrounding community. Osborn designed a central heating hot water and chilled water plant with energy recovery on exhaust air streams to maximize HVAC efficiency. As a result of a focus on sustainability, the project included several advanced MEP technologies including integration into the electric utility’s demand response program, utility sub-metering, and electric vehicle charging stations. Osborn’s technology design integrates the district’s audio/visual, security, and networking systems.

Annehurst Elementary was constructed in the 1960s and had never undergone significant renovation. This project presented several challenges including asbestos abatement as well as construction phasing to allow the school to function at full capacity during the building addition and major renovation of the classroom areas. The expansion featured a 2-story octagonal “Tree House” mezzanine breakout area requiring unique design for structural support and HVAC air distribution. The renovations included replacement and reconfiguration of multiple rooftops packaged custom multizone air handling units, and the new addition included a VAV air handling system with gas-fired heating as well as an ejector pump system to tie the addition into the existing facility sanitary service. The fire alarm system was designed to allow either integration to the existing system or, as an alternate, a new annunciator fire alarm system through the building. Both projects were bid in the summer of 2020 for Fall 2020 construction. Both schools were complete before the beginning of the 2022-2023 academic year.