Sandy Hook School

This new school’s design, inspired by the sense of community and natural beauty of Newtown, integrates healing elements of nature to foster an environment of learning, environmental stewardship, and community involvement.

Salas O’Brien provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and technology services for this LEED Gold certified school. Working with the State of Connecticut and U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and incorporating the principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), new security standards were implemented so that they remain virtually invisible throughout the campus.

The school’s heart and gathering spot is an open town square featuring “tree trunks” running parallel to a lobby on the first floor with a second-floor bridge overhead. The front of the building holds the administrative offices, cafeteria, music and art rooms, with a tech lab and classrooms in three wings that extend toward the building’s back.