Cambridge, MA – HMFH Architects announced eight recent school commissions throughout New England with a combined area of more than 500,000sf. The projects include three elementary schools, one middle school, one combined middle/high school and three high schools.
In each commission, HMFH is analyzing existing facilities and making design recommendations for space improvements to help school districts better address their educational mission.
Carlisle Elementary School, Carlisle, MA – HMFH was hired to design additions and renovations to a multi-building, 760-student, K-8 campus. The first stage included a Master Plan that reviewed consolidation options, as well as how to phase out aging, inadequate campus structures. HMFH is also studying how to preserve and increase open space at this much-used town resource.
Newport Elementary School, Newport, R.I. – HMFH is working with the City of Newport to plan for a new 700-student elementary school, including pre-Kindergarten to grade 4. HMFH will be working with educators and community representatives to design a single new “green” school on the site of the current Sullivan School in Newport. The new school replaces four existing elementary schools that are in poor condition.
Concord Elementary Schools, Concord, N.H. – HMFH is studying the feasibility of consolidating six of the Concord School District’s elementary schools into three. The project includes the design of three buildings: one that will merge Kimball and Walker schools on the Kimball campus, another that will merge the Conant and Rumford schools on the Conant campus, and the third that will combine the Dame and Eastman schools in a new K-2 school on the campus of Broken Ground School. HMFH Architects Inc. was hired to complete three schematic designs this year. Construction of the elementary schools will begin in 2010.
Wellesley Middle School, Wellesley, Mass. – HMFH is studying how to plan for increased population growth in the middle school over the next five years. HMFH is analyzing how to add an additional 200 students to the current enrollment of 1,000. With the middle school building already at capacity, HMFH is examining creative approaches to accommodating an immediate need for up to 18 additional classrooms. The strategy includes a plan for repurposing the space in the event of a future decrease in population.
Berlin/Boylston Middle/High School, Berlin/Boylston, Mass. – The communities of Berlin and Boylston hired HMFH to conduct a feasibility study of total replacement or substantial renovation and additions. On the basis of the study, the state has endorsed a new and expanded middle/high school to accommodate the 6th grade, and increase the overall population to 560. The existing site and new development are constrained by wetland and reservoir protection zones.
Wayland High School, Wayland, Mass. – In addition to planning for classroom space, the project is addressing how to best provide optimal science, performance and athletic facilities. A new, two-building high school proposal will be presented for town vote in November 2009.
Hanover High School, Hanover, Mass. – Slated for completion in 2011, the new 156,000sf high school will be located on the site of the existing school. The new 800-student high school will employ a number of green design measures to Massachusetts High Performance School sustainability goals.
Weston High School, Weston, Mass. – HMFH is currently developing a series of options for a new Science Center at the 700-student Weston High School in Weston. Through reclamation of underused space and modest additions, the project supports Weston’s advanced science curriculum, which includes a DNA lab and special project room for long-term experiments.
