[MassHistPres] Large school windows

[Ralph Slate]

As part of an energy efficiency program, the city of Springfield is 
contracting for the replacement of windows in several of its older 
(1900-1930) schools. Some of the windows had already been replaced over 
the years, others are original to the building. The city is proposing to 
replace what used to be large (not sure the height, but probably 7' or 
8' opening), double-hung windows with a three-panel approach, the top 
1/3 being fixed, with a smaller double-hung window installed below it. 
It would be a significant visual departure from the original design 
because it would appear as three separate panels rather than two.

Their argument was that 8' double hung replacement windows would be too 
hard for teachers to open. I asked if they had specific complaints in 
the city about this, and the architect admitted that they did not, nor 
did they do any research about it, but they had feedback from other 
communities so this is what they proposed.

Does anyone have any comment on this? Any alternative approaches? Any 
corroboration of the "too hard to open" claim?

Thanks,

Ralph Slate
Springfield, MA