The students from Saint James School returned to the Manchester Public Library project for their second O&G Builds session, this time getting an inside look at the final stages of construction and the detailed work that happens before a building officially opens to the public.
While their first visit introduced them to careers in construction and the overall building process, this session focused on the architectural features, building systems, and finishing touches that bring a project across the finish line. As the group toured the nearly completed library, the project team explained the many steps required to achieve a Certificate of Occupancy, the milestone that confirms the building is ready for use.
Students learned about the importance of a project “punch list,” where teams carefully inspect every detail from door adjustments to finish work to ensure everything functions properly and aligns with the architect’s specifications before the final walkthrough. The discussion highlighted the precision, coordination, and communication required among the trades to complete a project successfully.
The tour also gave students a behind-the-scenes look at some of the building’s most advanced systems. One of the most surprising stops was the “control room,” where the team explained how the building transitions from temporary environmental controls used during construction to the permanent mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems that will operate the library long-term. Students were fascinated to learn that the building does not use a traditional boiler system, instead relying on modern energy-efficient technology to heat and cool the space.
The group explored several of the library’s net zero features, including the electrical microgrid and the rooftop and solar shed photovoltaic panels that will generate enough energy to power the building and send excess energy back to the grid. Outside, the team pointed out the location of the 40 geothermal wells, drilled 500 feet underground beneath the future solar sheds, and explained how the system works to efficiently heat and cool the building while reducing energy consumption.
Along the way, the team highlighted architectural features that make the new library unique, including the rooftop patio on the second floor, which will provide an inviting outdoor space for the community to enjoy.
By returning for a second visit, the students were able to see how much progress had been made on the project while gaining a deeper appreciation for the coordination and technology involved in modern construction. Through programs like O&G Builds, students continue to experience firsthand how innovation, teamwork, and attention to detail come together to create spaces that will serve communities for generations.
