Lexington High School Design Focus Group Reviews Cladding, Flooring, and Structural Options

LEXINGTON — March 4, 2025 — Lexington High School architects presented interior and exterior design options at a March 4 School Building Committee focus group, with brick masonry emerging as the baseline cladding material and a June schematic design pricing package as the next hard deadline. Project designer Brian Black of SMMA walked focus group members through a side-by-side comparison of polished concrete versus linoleum classroom flooring, three conceptual facade elevation studies, and six exterior cladding materials, noting that rain screen options run roughly double the cost of a primarily brick building. Owner's project manager Christina confirmed schematic design will be complete in August, with town meeting approval votes in November and December 2025 and construction targeted to begin in 2027. Structural engineer Minhaj Kermani raised questions about whether a reinforced concrete frame had been evaluated as an alternative to the assumed steel system; Black said tariffs now in effect made it worth a fresh look and committed to bringing the question back to the structural team. Superintendent Dr. Hackett urged the design team to retain a fully hydraulic orchestra pit in the auditorium, noting Lexington's orchestra "was just named best in the nation."