Building the Future: RWB Joins Sherman ISD to Celebrate Three New Elementary Schools
Published Oct 13, 2025, 3:48 pm
In September, Sherman ISD hosted ribbon-cutting ceremonies for three brand-new elementary schools: Crutchfield Elementary, Fairview Elementary, and Parker Elementary. RWB Consulting Engineers provided the MEP-T design for each of these state-of-the-art learning environments, supporting the district’s vision for innovation and growth.
These projects were made possible through the $540 million bond program approved by voters in 2023, aimed at expanding capacity and modernizing educational facilities across Sherman ISD.
Crutchfield Elementary and Fairview Elementary both replace their original 1950s-era campuses with modern facilities designed to enhance learning and collaboration.
Crutchfield Elementary now accommodates up to 712 students and features an outdoor rooftop learning space dedicated to science education.
Fairview Elementary offers a spacious central courtyard that serves as a collaborative learning area and includes a design lab for hands-on, project-based exploration.
Paker Elementary, the district’s newest campus, honors longtime Sherman ISD educators Paula and David Parker. Located in northwest Sherman, the school will help meet the needs of the community’s rapidly growing population.
All three campuses include collaborative grade-level learning pods and gyms built to FEMA storm shelter standards, ensuring both safety and flexibility for students and staff.
RWB Consulting Engineers is proud to have partnered with VLK Architects and Sherman ISD in designing these forward-thinking educational spaces that will serve generations of learners for decades to come.
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Welcome To Our 2020 Interns
Company NewsAt RWB, we are proud of our well-established internship program. Over the course of a semester, engineering interns have the opportunity to learn about MEP engineering. Interns get hands-on experience with design and documentation, as well as accompanying our engineers for job site visits. We are excited to have three interns with us this summer:
School: University of Alabama
Year in School: Junior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Allyson chose the path of a degree in mechanical engineering because she is seeking a career that combines technical and creative skills, while focusing on innovation and improving lives. She is looking forward to spending the summer at RWB learning from our team of skilled engineers. She learned about MEP engineering from a friend’s father, who works in the plumbing side of the industry.
At school, Allyson is involved in many activities including the Society of Women Engineers, Delta Gamma sorority, Tau Beta Pi Honor Society, the Alabama club tennis team. She’d like to leave us with this: “Roll Tide!”
School: University of Texas at Arlington
Year in School: Senior
Major: Architectural Engineering
Graham decided to pursue an engineering degree after reading books by architect Christopher Alexander. Graham said, “his work and philosophy inspired me to pursue a degree that would enable me to further the vision of “a living world†through innovations in design and construction.” In the future, Graham hopes to work on construction projects that help people in economically blighted neighborhoods.
In his free time, Graham sings baritone for the UT Arlington choir, enjoys making music, riding bikes, and chatting with strangers.
School: University of Texas at Arlington
Year in School: Junior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Taylor always loved to tinker and take things apart to see how they work. She said, “I took an engineering class my junior year of high school I knew that’s what I wanted to do.” On-campus, Taylor works with a undergraduate research team on dynamics. This summer she is hoping to gain real-world work experience in the engineering industry.
Outside of work and school, Taylor loves to bike alongside the Trinity. She loves to cook and garden, and she is always ready to take on a DIY project!
Engineering Plan and Spec:
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow Traditional Project Delivery Works in Commercial Construction
If you work in MEP design and construction for commercial buildings, you’ve likely heard the term plan and spec. You might encounter it when a job is labeled a plan and spec job, or when discussing a new opportunity that’s described as a plan and spec bid. The term is common in the industry, but if you’re just starting out, the meaning may not be immediately clear.
What Does Plan and Spec Mean?
Plan and spec refers to a commercial construction project delivery method in which design drawings (plans) and written specifications (specs) are created to define the equipment and components of the project.
You might also hear this method referred to by other names—planning and specifications, plan-spec, or P&S. Other interchangeable terms include design-bid or design-bid-build. While the names vary, they all describe the same delivery method.
At the start of every construction project, the Owner chooses the project delivery method. Plan and spec remains the most traditional approach, though newer methods like design-build are growing in popularity. Each method offers unique benefits and challenges. The primary difference lies in how team roles align and when construction begins.
What a Plan and Spec Project Typically Looks Like
While no two projects are exactly alike, plan and spec jobs usually follow a similar structure in terms of team organization and project phases.
In a plan and spec project, the Owner hires two separate teams:
Design Team – This team typically includes MEP engineers, civil and structural engineers, architects, and other specialized consultants.
Construction Team – This group includes the general contractor and subcontractors like the mechanical contractor.
The Owner may also bring in independent consultants outside of these two core teams. For instance, they might hire a commissioning agent to inspect construction work or bring in a third-party design review team before approving the final design.
Team Leadership and Communication
Each team operates under a lead consultant, known as the prime consultant. This person leads their respective team and manages communication with the Owner.
Traditionally, the architect serves as the prime for the design team, and the general contractor leads the construction team. However, this isn’t a strict rule. For some projects, the MEP engineer might act as the prime, with the architect in a supporting role.
Since the Owner contracts each team separately, the prime consultant on each side becomes the main point of contact and assumes two responsibilities: managing their own discipline and coordinating project-wide communication.
Team Responsibilities
In a plan and spec project, team responsibilities are clearly defined.
The design team produces a complete set of construction documents. The construction team then uses those documents to build the project according to specifications.
Project Phases
Plan and spec projects involve two principal phases: the design phase and the construction phase. Construction doesn’t begin until the design team completes and delivers the construction documents.
Each main phase includes smaller sub-phases. During the design process, for example, the team hits key milestones such as schematic design, design development, and construction design.
Pros and Cons
Like any delivery method, plan and spec has both advantages and drawbacks.
Advantages
Many Owners choose plan and spec because it offers more defined construction costs. After the design team finalizes the construction documents, the Owner can solicit bids. In simple terms, the Owner asks construction teams to quote a price based on the complete design. Knowing the cost before breaking ground helps Owners control risk and plan budgets more effectively.
Other benefits include:
In-Depth Design and Analysis – Because construction begins only after design is complete, the design team has more time for thoughtful analysis and refinement.
Design Collaboration – This method promotes strong collaboration between design disciplines, allowing for more integrated and optimized solutions.
Creative Problem-Solving – Without construction deadlines looming, the design team has the flexibility to explore more innovative approaches.
Specialty Projects – Plan and spec works well for complex, first-of-its-kind, or highly architectural buildings like net-zero energy projects.
Disadvantages
Every delivery method has trade-offs, and plan and spec is no exception.
Many construction professionals criticize plan and spec because it doesn’t always benefit their bottom line. Since they must deliver the project for a fixed bid, any delays or complications eat into their profit. Naturally, contractors often favor delivery methods that offer greater profitability—even if plan and spec is a better fit for the project.
Other disadvantages include:
Longer Timelines – Plan and spec projects often take longer to complete. Even a “fast” one may take 1.5 years, while others can stretch to five years or more. This method may not suit projects that need rapid delivery.
Disputes Over Construction Issues – No design is perfect, and issues inevitably arise. When they do, the Owner will want to assign responsibility. This can lead to disputes between the design and construction teams.
Quality Risks from Low Bids – Owners sometimes award projects to the lowest bidder. While not always true, low bids can result in lower-quality workmanship if contractors cut corners to maintain profit margins. The building may not perform as the design team intended.
RWB’s Approach
At RWB, we deliver uncompromising quality on every plan and spec project. For more than 30 years, our team has specialized in high-performance mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design. Our experience, attention to detail, and dedication to continuous learning make us a trusted partner for commercial projects across Texas.
RWB Wins 2020 ASHRAE Dallas Technology Award for Braswell High School Design
Company News, Industry TrendsProject Moves on to Regional Competition
This week, the Dallas Chapter of ASHRAE recognized RWB Consulting Engineers for exceptional HVAC design. Denton ISDs Ray Braswell High School earned the chapter’s Technology Award for New Educational Facilities.
The ASHRAE Technology Awards recognize outstanding achievement in mechanical system design and operation. While other programs such as LEED recognize buildings for minimizing energy usage, the Technology Award celebrates designs with a holistic approach.
Winners of the technology award demonstrate competency and success in applying effective strategies for:
RWB Consulting Engineers is well-known for their experience in successful K-12 MEP design, with Braswell High School being particularly exemplary.
Leaders of the Dallas Chapter presented the award on Wednesday, February 12th. As seen on the photo below, several members of the RWB leadership team were on-hand to accept the award.
Contact us for K-12 MEP Engineering Services
THE WINNING PROJECT: RAY BRASWELL HIGH SCHOOL
In Little Elm, Texas, this new facility for over 2,600 students in 9-12th grade opened in August 2016.
The HVAC design for Braswell High School features a geothermal system with over 1,100 wells serving 239 heat pumps. With so many wells, our team broke the geothermal system up into smaller well fields that serve different areas of the building. Ground source heat pumps were piped in parallel for redundancy. And three-way valves installed at the extremity of each lunch ensure proper water flow and temperature during operation.
Our team used an innovative humidity control system in high-latent areas like the auditorium, gymnasium, and cafeteria. Using a unique hot gas reheat system, the air in these spaces can be dehumidified without having to reject any heat to the associated well field. In addition, energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) were used in tandem with carbon dioxide sensors to provide the precise amount of fresh air to spaces. Both design strategies contribute to improved occupant comfort and reduced energy consumption.
This isn’t the first time that the design team for Braswell High School has been recognized. In 2017, the Texas Association of School Administrators and Texas Association of School Boards Exhibit of School Architecture awarded architecture firm VLK with the Design and Value award.
ASHRAE DALLAS TECHNOLOGY AWARD
The Dallas Chapter of ASHRAE accepts nominations each year for their Technology Award competition. They can recognize multiple MEP engineering firms in 19 different categories as shown in the bulleted list below below.
As the winner of the Chapter award, this project will move to the Regional competition. RWB faces competition from other ASHRAE Chapters in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mexico. The regional judging committee will announce the winner of the region competition during the Chapter Regional Conference in April 2020.
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