GES provided MEP & FP services for the modernization and expansion of an elementary school to bring it into compliance with the school system’s educational specifications.  The project included demolition of 39,782 sf of the existing school, and a 25,389 sf addition to create a new 65,171 sf facility capable of housing expanded programming.  In addition to serving the needs of its students, the school is the centerpiece of the neighborhood and available for use by community at night and during the weekend. The school has also  been designed to operate as an emergency shelter for the state of Maryland and includes accommodations for portable generators to power the facility in emergency situations. For this project, GES’ engineers designed a geothermal heat recovery variable refrigerant flow (VRF) water source system.