Florence Roche Elementary School
Groton, MA
Studio G is currently concluding the Schematic Design phase for the Florence Roche Elementary School (FRES) in Groton, MA. We have collaborated with the district extensively to reach a successful solution, which emanates from an exciting educational modality, and is situated on a site filled with opportunity. The result is an approximately 110,000 GSF new construction elementary school that will provide an exceptional learning environment to 645 students in grades Kindergarten through Grade 4. The Estimated Energy Usage Intensity (EUI) for the new school is 33.9.
The foundation of the educational learning philosophy at the existing FRES is Universal Design for Learning. We embraced this paradigm and learned program specifics through educational visioning sessions/ workshops with FRES teachers, administration, and key stakeholders of the project. Studio G and New Vista Design, the project’s Educational Programmer, held three workshops that unpacked and clarified the districts’ vision, goals, priorities, and principles, and which set a foundation for future design decisions. These instructional building blocks of education provided the framework for a design that responded directly to the district’s educational program.
During the Feasibility Study, Studio G evaluated the potential of an addition/ renovation to the existing building verses new construction. A cost comparison of the two options made clear that new construction would be more economical. Multiple sites were considered for the new school. For various reasons, including the benefits of sharing resources with the Middle School and Twomey Youth Center, it was ultimately decided that FRES should remain located at the current Main Street campus location. Through multiple design iterations and testing of different areas on the campus for the proposed new elementary school, the ideal location was determined to be behind the existing FRES.
Studio G believes that the land that a building sits upon is an opportunity to harmonize the Site and Building seamlessly together. Collaborating with Landscape Architect, Terraink, the design of the site is integrated into the architecture. The project combines an open space of land for community use and play, safe vehicular access on and around the site, and an Outdoor Learning Lab for the students. The details of the building incorporate elements that carry water from the building canopies into rain gardens on the ground. This is one example of how the building is used a teaching tool for the occupants.
Reflecting Groton’s community values, and taking cues from local architecture, the new 2-story FRES is designed to respect Groton’s historical past, while looking towards the future. To celebrate the strong sense of pride the Town feels for its abundance of conservation land, brick detailing and coursing is used to suggest woodland trees.
The elementary school is organized into grade-level learning neighborhoods. The younger learners are located on the first floor for easy access to the frequently visited shared program spaces such as the gymnasium and cafeteria. The older learners are on the second floor, which is accessed by an open central stair. Each of the 5 neighborhoods (K-4) have their own Project Area which provides flexibility, opportunity for break out space, and a zone for non-classroom-based activity. Other shared programs include: The Media center, which opens directly to the Outdoor Learning Lab (OLL), and provides a clear view from the lobby, through to the OLL; a southern facing STEM lab with outdoor patio for projects; and Music and Art. First floor Project Areas open directly to the protected Outdoor Learning Lab with outdoor classrooms, gathering spaces, and planting beds.