Education

Providence School Breaks Ground

(l-r) Nick Bouchard, PM, Deslandes Construction; Lincoln trustee Dave Caldwell, Jr.; Kim Lough, director, early childhood and Little School; Jane Jamieson, chair of Lincoln’s board of trustees; Suzanne Fogarty, head of Lincoln School; Michael Lindstrom, founding principal of studioMLA Architects; Jim Deslandes Sr., president and owner of Deslandes

Providence, RI  – Lincoln School has broken ground on a state-of-the-art Little School expansion, a 4,700sf facility that stands as a testament to the school’s best-in-class Little School and Early Childhood program.

Little School, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, offers boys and girls 6 weeks to 3 years old Reggio-Emilia inspired instruction with a focus on exploration and hands-on discovery.

Operating on a continual waitlist throughout the year, this expansion is a critical investment in Rhode Island’s littlest learners. Phase one of this project is scheduled for completion in July 2020. The second phase of the Building Beginnings campaign will expand and enhance the Lower School, and is slated to begin in 2021.

Rendering of the new Little School facility (left), as seen from Brookside Avenue

The new Little School facility was designed by studioMLA Architects of Brookline, Mass., and will be built in partnership with Deslandes Construction of Warwick, R.I. The addition will feature two cutting-edge classrooms and a dedicated outdoor play area for all weather activities, as well as a Reggio-Emilia Studio.

The project will be registered with the U.S. Green Building Council and is pursuing LEED certification.

LEED certified buildings can include a highly insulated building envelope, air exchange ventilation system, use of sustainable sourced and recycled materials, energy efficient fixtures and appliances, highly efficient HVAC systems, renewable energy systems such as photovoltaic systems, and natural landscaping. Lincoln’s Little School will have no gas or oil, which means it will produce no on-site combustion and no carbon emissions.