Students in five New England communities are beginning the Fall term in new schools designed by Cambridge-based HMFH Architects. Elementary and middle schools in Brookline, Chelsea, Westborough, and Carver, Massachusetts and a new high school in Dover, New Hampshire provide nearly a million square feet of combined learning space.
Net-Zero-Ready in BrooklineIn the Coolidge Corner neighborhood of Brookline, a combined renovation and new construction design responds to fast-rising student enrollment in the Brookline Public Schools. HMFH designed a full-scale renovation of the school’s historic 1913 building along with two new wings that allow grade levels to be grouped together in self-contained learning communities.
The new 227,000 square-foot,preK-8 Coolidge Corner School debuts as one of the most energy-efficient schools in the Commonwealth. Integrating a series of sustainable and healthy building initiatives, the innovative school design isnet-zero-energy ready with a projected Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 23.3 kBtu/sf/year. The average EUI metric for k-12 schools in the U.S. is82.
Hands-on Exploration for Dover StudentsThe City of Dover, New Hampshire will fulfill its vision of a bringing together the formerly- separateCareer Technical Center and traditional high school under one roof, benefitting students from both schools. The new 302,000 square-foot Dover High School opensa new era of integrated hands-on and academic-oriented learning for the city’s 1,500 students.
Designed to immerse students in real-life experiences, Dover high school gives students the opportunity to explore careers in architecture and construction, culinary arts, cosmetology, computer programming, and a range of other disciplines while immersed in a rigorous academic curriculum. In the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) wing, the design places art, science, and building technology spaces on display.
Performance Design for Chelsea’s Clark Avenue SchoolFaced with an expanding student population and deteriorating conditions in a century-old building, the City of Chelsea elected to replace the existing Clark Avenue School with a new facility better suited for providing a 21st-century education forits 670 students in grades 5-8.
Situated on only 1.4acres, the new Clark Avenue Middle School was constructed in two phases while the existing school remained in operation. The school’s emphasis on performing arts is supported with a range of spaces to support large productions, more intimate performances, and set design and construction. The new school also features outdoor educational spaces and an entry courtyard designed foropen-air performances and community events.
Carver Elementary Design Createsa Small-School Experience
This new 112,000 square-foot school houses 850 students in grades PreK-5,and replaces two smaller, aging buildings. To maintain the small-school feel and support the community’s educational philosophy, grades are clustered together by age group in academic wings in the “E-shaped” building. A vibrant central circulation spine containing a learning commons and other shared resources links the grade clusters.
Designed to supporta variety of teaching and learning styles, the sharedcommon spacesinclude small group rooms used for specific skills development and remedial learning.
Supporting Early Childhood Education in Westborough
In response to capacity pressure in the town’s elementary schools, HMFH worked with the town of Westborough to create a new Early Childhood Center at the Hastings Elementary School and replace modular structures with permanent classrooms at Armstrong Elementary School.
TheEarly Education Centeradds space for 160 Pre-Kindergarteners in a setting customized to support young students of varying needs, preparing them for academic, social, and emotional success in elementary school. The vibrant, daylit building provides a play-based learning environment for individual, small group, and full class instruction.
Since 1969, HMFH Architects has built opportunities for learning on a local, regional, and national level. With its distinguished range of award-winning work from renovated urban buildings to new rural campuses, HMFH is recognized as a leader in the design of innovative learning and living environments. HMFH's work, noted for its user-centered design and energetic use of color, has been recognized, exhibited,and published nationally. For more information, please visit www.hmfh.com.
