LEXINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
Lexington, MA

This project included the renovation of 21 classrooms and specialized educational spaces throughout the High School. The work included general modernization but was focused on providing significant acoustical improvements. The modifications were to satisfy ADA requirements to provide ‘Program Access’ for students with severe hearing impairments, including cochlear implants.

The renovations include replacement of unit ventilators with ducted HVAC systems. The room surfaces (ceilings, walls and floors) are treated with a designed mix of acoustically absorbing and reflective materials. Door gaskets, dual glazing and a rigorous program of sealing all penetrations provides isolation from adjacent rooms. The spaces are being designed to provide a maximum background noise of less than 35 decibels.
The project is one of the first in Massachusetts to provide classrooms specifically for inclusion of students with cochlear implants in the regular public school classrooms.