About Bastrop ISD High School Phase 1
Renovating an aging high school for a growing district raises a unique set of questions: How do we keep the school fully operational during construction? What kinds of structural issues might come up? And, how can we minimize disruptions to students and staff? At Bastrop High School, the need for improved and expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE), Fine Arts, and academic spaces required a carefully coordinated approach to answer these questions while remaining on schedule and delivering a top-quality end product. The case study below outlines how American Constructors overcame these challenges and the impact the final result had on the Bastrop High School community.
Project Quick Facts:
Location: Bastrop, TX
Client: Bastrop Independent School District
Architect: Stantec
Industry: K-12 Education
Square Footage: New - 42,895 SF | Renovated - 160,515 SF
Delivery Date: December 2024
CHALLENGE: Navigating Construction Without Disruption
Bastrop High School needed significant upgrades to its CTE, Fine Arts, and academic spaces to meet the needs of its growing student population. However, the project had to be completed while the campus remained fully operational with minimal disruptions to students and staff. Moisture under the slab and flooring presented an additional challenge. As an older campus, the school had dealt with moisture vapor transmission issues in the existing flooring for some time, so our team needed to provide a permanent solution to ensure the longevity of the new spaces.
SOLUTION: Achieving Success Through a Phased Approach
American Constructors utilized a strategic "leapfrog" approach to maintain a functional learning environment throughout the project’s construction. By systematically working in blocks, the team ensured that only 8–10 classrooms were vacant at a time, allowing teachers and students to transition smoothly between phases with little to no impact to the school’s daily activities.
To address the moisture issues, the team ground down approximately 100,000 square feet of concrete to properly prep and level the surface. A moisture mitigation product was then applied before installing new flooring, and extensive testing was conducted early in the process to guide the approach. American Constructors also worked closely with the manufacturer to secure an extended warranty for the school.
RESULT: Larger, Modernized Spaces Built to Last
By allowing operations to continue without major interruptions, the team ensured a smooth experience for students and faculty. The newly-upgraded facilities now provide a modern and enhanced learning environment that supports the district’s academic, extracurricular, and career development needs. Through close collaboration with the principal and campus staff, these critical issues were factored into the budget and overall timeline, keeping the project on track and on time.