Modular Project: Villa Maria Academy

Malvern, Pennsylvania

Villa Maria Academy, a private school for kindergarten through 8th grade, decided to expand to include a pre-school.

The academy is situated on an historic, beautifully landscaped campus and the space available for this early education center was a tight area between two buildings. The school required that the expansion blend seamlessly with the existing buildings and that it be completed well before the start of the school year. BOXX Modular finished the exterior in a faced stone veneer that mimics the finish of the existing buildings.

The roof is a mansard style with concealed gutters, finished in a colored shingle to match the school’s other buildings. The interiors of the classrooms are finished with painted drywall, gypsum board ceilings, and nylon loop carpet squares with vinyl block tiles in the entry way and communal utility area.

The early learning center was constructed with a perimeter frame, vapor barrier, stone, and stem wall design which provided a protected crawl space. This design, in conjunction with the storm water management system, will keep moisture away from the building. In addition, the crawl space is equipped with a humidistat to control moisture, thus minimizing the risk of mold growth. A dry-pipe sprinkler system was installed and connected to the system in the existing buildings. The exterior stone veneer finish and concealed gutters cut down on, or eliminate, future maintenance needs.

BOXX Modular worked closely with the staff of Villa Maria to understand their vision and to provide a full turnkey solution, thereby avoiding costly scope issues and excessive change orders. The foundation and building were designed to be set closer to the ground which reduces ramp and stair costs. All utilities were designed and installed to tie in with the school’s existing systems. The use of carpet tiles or squares will enable Villa Maria to replace worn or damaged pieces rather that replacing the carpet in an entire classroom.