Fairmont Area Schools Career and Technical Education Building Addition/Construction Trades Academy
Fairmont, MN | Education
Overview
Funded by a successful 2021 referendum, the Fairmont Area School District continued an ongoing partnership with ISG to design a new Construction Trades Academy building addition to expand and diversify its science, technology, education, mathematics (STEM) programming offerings.
Opportunity
Recognizing the growth of the construction industry and the increased demand for skilled trades, the District wanted to establish a Construction Trades Academy to mirror the District’s Welding Academy and Agriculture Academy training programs. The District’s successful 2021 referendum included the full funding of the building addition designed to efficiently accommodate the space, equipment, and infrastructure to meet the requirements of today’s construction trades education.
Solution
ISG worked with the District to design a space to support this programming with a new facility that connects to the existing school by an outdoor canopy-covered walkway. A 13,500 square-foot precast multi-use building houses a mechanical and electrical room, an HVAC training center, a wood shop, and a spacious, flexible area designed to accommodate the construction of full-size houses. A large overhead door facilitates the transport of built structures and accommodates the District’s maintenance vehicles. The Construction Trades Academy also features mechanical and electrical controls equipment, a manufacturing lab, two flexible classrooms designed to adapt to multiple disciplines, a new storm shelter, and restrooms.