Boston – On March 12, Studio G Architects and Dellbrook One Way, a joint venture composed of Dellbrook|JKS and the Roxbury-based minority business enterprise, One Way Development, broke ground on a new campus for the Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology (Franklin Cummings Tech, FCT), located in Nubian Square. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, city and state officials, and the president and CEO of Franklin Cummings Tech, Dr. Aisha Francis, gathered on-site in the heart of Boston to celebrate the groundbreaking.
The Dellbrook One Way project team with Dr. Aisha Francis
“The groundbreaking of our new campus marks a pivotal moment in our mission to deliver transformative technical and trade education that leads to economic advancement for our students,” said Francis. “Our new campus will provide an environment that not only meets the needs of current students but also anticipates the demands of future educational programs.”
In collaboration with Studio ENEE, Studio G Architects’ design for the new campus will bring to fruition a state-of-the-art educational facility designed to foster innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. With a focus on technology-rich learning environments and flexible communal spaces, the 3-story, 66,000sf building will feature a range of amenities, including shared classrooms, student lounges, technical labs, and outdoor gathering spaces. It will include an advanced manufacturing center, exposed MEP systems that double as examples for students, a rooftop learning lab, a heat pump installation lab, and a ground-level automotive shop, open to the community.
Site of the future FCT campus at 1011 Harrison Ave.
The rooftop learning lab will provide hands-on experience in mechanical systems and renewable energy technologies, offering students an opportunity to engage with sustainable practices firsthand in-situ. With sustainability at the forefront of the design process, the new campus will target LEED Gold certification, utilizing passive design strategies, energy-efficient mechanical systems, and renewable energy sources to minimize its environmental footprint.
(l-r): Sheryce Hearns, Dellbrook|JKS director of diversity, equity, & inclusion; Harry Rodriguez; and Mayor Michelle Wu
A graduate of Franklin Cummings Tech, Harry Rodriguez will serve as an assistant project manager and assistant superintendent on the construction of his alma mater’s reimagined campus. As a project engineer in Dellbrook|JKS’s Construction Immersion Program, Rodriguez will rotate through key areas of construction management, gaining practical experience in estimating, project management, and the field, mirroring the life cycle of his designated project. He will work alongside mentors and an experienced project team, who anticipate the campus’ completion in the fall of 2025.
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“At Studio G, we are deeply committed to designing spaces that not only meet the functional needs of our clients but also contribute positively to the communities they serve,” said Sally Gibson, senior project manager at Studio G Architects. “The new campus for Franklin Cummings Tech exemplifies this commitment, as it will not only provide cutting-edge educational facilities but also serve as a catalyst for the revitalization of Nubian Square.”
“As a Roxbury native, born and raised, I am excited to work on this project, showcasing Dellbrook One Way’s commitment to community engagement and workforce development within the city of Boston,” said Sheryce Hearns, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Dellbrook|JKS. “We have scheduled several job fairs, free OSHA trainings, trade partner learning series, and pre-bid conferences, ensuring that we build up the community and its residents while we build up the new FCT campus.”
