King Abdullah Academy

The Saudi Arabian government fulfilled its quest to construct a custom new school campus located on McLearen Road in Herndon, Virginia. The school opened for the start of the 2016 school year and can hold up to 1,200 students from Pre-School through Grade 12.

Bowie Gridley Architects was commissioned to design the new private co-educational day school campus. The new facilities feature an Early Childhood Center and co-educational school with separate entries and play spaces for separate sexes and age groups.

Ennis Electric was contracted to provide turnkey electrical and low voltage systems through a “by invitation only” procurement process. The systems incorporated into the campus were:

• Normal and emergency power
• Interior and exterior LED lighting
• Theatrical lighting and sound systems
• Fire alarm
• Networked audio/visual
• Data and telecom
• Lightning protection
• Clock and bell system
• Security and intercom
• Low voltage Lighting Control System

In addition to educational buildings, the campus includes two 15,000 gsf two-story office structures. Highlights of the campus include:

• Buildings and grounds on 40-acres
• Fourteen learning communities designed to maximize individual and group work
• Three gyms suitable for basketball, volleyball, badminton and other sports
• Large multi-purpose halls
• Indoor eight-lane heated swimming pool and weight lifting/fitness facilities
• 800-seat theater and performing arts facilities
• Library
• Dual dining rooms and cafeterias
• Ceramics and robotics laboratories
• Fine arts facilities
• Soccer fields and athletics oval
• High-quality finishes and amenities common in upscale private schools

All work was competed in accordance with the as-planned schedule. A high level of leadership by the general contractor, a complete design and cooperation among the trades produced a high-quality project that was on-time while maintaining stringent safety protocols.