Walnut Hills High School Renovation

Location: Cincinnati, OH
Construction Schedule: 36 Months
Customer: Cincinnati Public Schools ^[1]
Architect and/or Engineer: SHP Leading Design ^[2]

The 350,000 SF renovation of the historic Walnut Hills High School ^[3] included the complete interior demolition and renovation completed in eight phases, with work including walls and partitions, floors, ceilings, casework, mechanical, electrical and technology upgrades. The building’s 85,000 SF addition includes a new pool, a second-story gymnasium, locker rooms and academic space. The interior of the building includes a college-sized gymnasium, 12 acoustically rated rooms for the music program and an Olympic-sized pool. The mechanical systems runs return air through a heat exchange to heat the pool.

In order for the gymnasium to reside above the pool, 15+ foot-tall, 18” thick concrete foundation walls were required. The pool excavation starts at the bottom of these walls create a large open area with enormous clear span beams carrying the gymnasium above. The music rooms are large open spaces acoustically rated with caulk, sound clips and STC rated windows and doors. Additional site work includes a water retention system. The 12,000 SF historic auditorium renovation including rehabbing the stage and upgrading mechanical, electrical and technology systems.

The school remained occupied during construction. Project completed on a tight urban site and includes offices, locker rooms, equipment rooms.