[MassHistPres] Large school windows

[Marcia Starkey]

Hello,

Greenfield has announced this program as well altho its now on hold. This
subject apparently didn't come up here.
 
Marcia Starkey,
Greenfield Hist. Comm.

-----Original Message-----
From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu
[mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Ralph Slate
Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2011 10:33 PM
To: MassHistPres MA
Subject: [MassHistPres] Large school windows

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
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