Paint Branch High School was a two-phase project built on an occupied urban setting in Montgomery County, MD. The replacement school is 344,000-SF, ranging from one to three stories in height and includes two courtyards. Structural steel and load bearing masonry walls were utilized for the gymnasium and auditorium due to the wide spans required for these spaces. The existing school remained operational until occupancy of the new facility.

The new Paint Branch High School achieved LEED Gold certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Energy-saving features can be found throughout the design and include materials, paints and finishes that emit lower volatile organic compounds (VOC), geothermal HVAC system, daylight harvesting, occupancy sensor control light fixtures, indoor air quality management, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, storm-water management, green roof, low-flow plumbing fixtures, enhanced building commissioning and water efficient landscaping.