Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES – 2016 Capital Improvement Project

Addition and Renovations to Vocational School Campus

Located in Monroe County, New York, Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) provides technical, vocational, special needs, and adult continuing education services to nine component, public school districts in the county.

Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES selected LaBella Associates to provide a comprehensive redesign of three campus buildings, design an addition to the campus administration building, and provide all new parking, roadway, and playground site design. The scope of work included space planning and programming for all buildings; infrastructure design; new exterior canopies; a larger, more open main student entry; complete finish upgrades; updated electrical and mechanical systems; signage and wayfinding; roofing; and hazardous materials removal.

Designing Specialized Learning Environments

This project was unique – with 33 different courses represented in three separate building, LaBella was challenged with creating a stimulating environment while also catering to the diverse range of teaching spaces required as part of the program.

For example, our team designed learning environments and associated infrastructure to support culinary arts (i.e., large commercial kitchens), automotive technology, welding, electrical and HVAC, nursing, and cosmetology, among other programming. Classroom and lab spaces were designed with a variety of finishes, building systems, and equipment types to meet stringent program needs.

Designing Key Wayfinding Elements

A task of particular importance was to incorporate design elements establishing a common identity throughout the campus. To establish this identity and break down the scale of the buildings’ lengthy and plain corridors, our team designed key wayfinding elements featuring color-coded finishes and monumental wall graphics showcasing students at work.