Haw Creek Elementary School
This new 145,575-square foot slab on-grade, steel frame elementary school contains a central atrium space, gymnasium, music room, administrative areas, kitchen, media center, and cafeteria. The school's design is the first of its kind and has been used as a prototype for future Forsyth County elementary schools. Each classroom has access to natural daylight and features its own water source heat pump to individually control room temperature. The completed school serves 1,175 students.
McCarthy simultaneously constructed this school and the new Lakeside Middle School in the same district. Both two‐story buildings are located on a shared 96‐acre campus. The two buildings were designed in tandem to provide visual continuity on the campus. Design features include red brick exteriors with dark bronze roofing and gutters, as well as coverings overexterior doors and bus loading areas.
During construction, McCarthy worked to overcome unforeseeable challenges, including one stemming from the overall economic downturn. After a concrete subcontractor defaulted, McCarthy looked to its own resources to perform site concrete work such as sidewalks and entry ways throughout the campus. The ability to shift gears and manage unexpected circumstances helped McCarthy remain on time and on budget for the delivery of these schools.