Renovating Multi-Purpose Spaces for Various School Functions in Connecticut

You may remember the scene in It's A Wonderful Life when the school dance floor is opened up to reveal a swimming pool underneath. During the iconic scene, the dance floor pulls back and the dancers fall into the pool. This scene was filmed in a real gymnasium in Beverly Hills, and remains in use at Beverly Hills High School today. It's called the "Swim Gym."

While there are not many spaces quite like the Swim Gym, many schools do recognize the importance of building versatile, multi-purpose areas for educational activities and athletics. By day, the space might be a gym or even a cafeteria. At night, it could be a community event space, an auditorium or theater, or a place to host basketball games and other competitive events. 

How to Combine Multi-Purpose Spaces

If your school has identified the need for a multi-purpose space, follow these tips to get started. 

• Investigate retractable fixtures that can be tucked away when not in use. Retractable chairs pop out of the floor and turn your gymnasium into an auditorium automatically. Retractable bleachers are an essential part of basketball games and other athletic events. Or, retractable walls can be used to divide your gymnasium into halves, thirds, and so on. Your multi-purpose space can be outfitted with one or many of these features. 
• Consider acoustics. Different activities have different acoustic needs. Echoes can create problems during your play or community gathering, while some soundproofing is important for a gymnasium, especially if your gymnasium is close to classroom areas. Ceiling tiles and panels can help control acoustics and maintain a versatile indoor space. 
• Consider storage. Easy access to tables, chairs, sports equipment, theater equipment and more is important. Having multiple storage areas for each type of activity that takes place in your multipurpose room can simplify transitions between one activity and the next. 
• Consider maximum size requirements. Consider the biggest events that you may hold in your multipurpose space when choosing the overall size. For smaller events, retractable walls or screens may be necessary. 
• Work with the experts. Assemble a building team of experts who can help you make decisions during your upcoming renovation. These experts will have helpful suggestions to make your space more functional, and can help you consider opportunities for additional uses and how you can make your multipurpose space as flexible as possible. 

Benefits of Multi-Purpose Spaces in Schools

Why try to make one space useful for so many purposes? Consider the following:

1. Cost-efficient. While it's often more costly to create a space that can serve several different purposes, this type of renovation is less expensive than constructing multiple buildings for different activities. 
2. Space efficient. In packed urban areas where space is less available, creating a multi-use space may be the only way that some schools can build programs that meet the needs of all their students. 
3. Create multiple spaces with one renovation. Renovations are disruptive and can be inconvenient for faculty, administrators and students. Creating multiple spaces with one building project minimizes disruption to all parties involved. 

Renovate Your School Building With Multi-Purpose Spaces

If your school is in need of a multi-purpose space and ready to start a renovation, these steps can help you get started. 

Know Your Goals

Knowing your priorities can help you stick to your budget and avoid problems like scope creep. Work with faculty, community groups and administrators at the school to get feedback and ensure that your goals are comprehensive. Create a list of "must have" features and a list of "nice to have" features. This will enable you to build a project that can be scaled to your budget. 

Make Your Budget

Know how much money your school can spend on its upcoming renovation. Work with your school administrators, school board members and other stakeholders. Budgeting for renovations can take months as schools identify and set aside funds for the project. You may also need to consult with building experts to ensure that your budget is right-sized for the type of project that you're trying to conduct. 

Find the Right Architect

Except in very limited cases, commercial designs in Connecticut require an architect. Find an architect firm that has experience with school renovations and community spaces. Sort through professional portfolios and websites. Meet with multiple architects to discuss your project before choosing the final candidate for your project. 

• Be prepared to discuss your budget with the architect in these initial discussions. 
• Have a list of questions to ask architects during the consultation. This will help you gauge their communication style and will make it easier to compare architects. 

Hire a Licensed, Experienced Connecticut Contractor

Your chosen architect may recommend a contractor they've worked with in the past. If not, vet multiple contractors to get a sense of which firm has the most experience, best project management skills and the best track record of success with similar projects. 

It's important to find a contractor that has good communication skills, as these projects require excellent communication between the architect, engineers and other building professionals involved in the project. 

Find the Right Team of Building Professionals For Your Project

A functional multi-purpose space that can be used for academic events, community meetings and athletic events is an excellent investment. Finding the right team of building professionals is important. If you have questions about how to assemble such a team, contact Litchfield Builders or download our free guide to hiring a Connecticut contractor.