Choosing the Right Option
As Associate Architect for Elementary Design together with Caolo & Bieniek Associates, we collaborated on every phase of the new Mountain View School. As a first step, the team conducted an in-depth Feasibility Study which presented the district with several options for the new space:
- renovate the existing three elementary schools and the middle school
- replace the existing schools
- consolidate three elementary schools
- consolidate three elementary and the middle school on the middle school site
Our design team contributed site design concepts, diagrammed elementary learning clusters, and assisted in developing schematic design options. Voters approved the consolidated Pre-K through 8th grade school that ensures students in the district have access to the highest quality learning environments and state of the art facilities.
Location
Easthampton, MA
Client
Easthampton Public Schools
Size / Area
177,000 SF
Certifications
LEED Gold
Students
663 elementary students, 1,000 total students
Grades
PK-8
A Design That Aligns with District Goals
For Education Programming, the combined design team engaged district and city leadership, principals, teachers, parents, and students in multiple visioning sessions to develop the district’s educational vision, goals, and priorities aligned with its education plan and carry them through the design.
Our interiors differ in color, finishes, and character between the elementary and middle schools yet are related, creating a comprehensive whole. In addition to designing the interior of the elementary school, our expanded responsibilities in Design Development and Construction Documents for this project contributed to the high-performance façade design. The school design earned LEED Gold certification.
Creating a Cohesive Learning Environment
The 3-story middle and 2-story elementary school share a central core that incorporates:
- a gymnatorium (combining the functions of a gymnasium and auditorium)
- cafeterias
- a nursing suite
- adaptive PE, with separate entry and drop-off areas
The Elementary School is organized into grade-level learning neighborhoods by floor and wing. Three wings are linked by a glassy ‘Elementary Street’ connecting the entry lobby and administration at one end to the 2-story cafeteria at the other. Two feature stairs connect the 1st and 2nd floors with overlooks into the lobby and cafeteria. The 2nd-floor media center is wrapped by a perforated metal screen depicting children playing to shade the south light.
“Mountain View provides an age-appropriate learning environment that supports the social, emotional, and educational growth of our early and upper elementary students and provides many opportunities for hands-on learning and small and large group instruction. Working with Studio G, we were able to build a school that supports the many and varied learning needs of our students and a school that has fulfilled the hopes and dreams of our school and city community.”
– Nancy Follansbee, Former Superintendent, Easthampton Public Schools
“A Great Place to Learn and Grow!”
Easthampton Public Schools’ tagline sums it up nicely! The district envisions an environment in which all students are able to authentically participate in academic, emotional, and social learning within a setting that is welcoming, inclusive, and adapted to the needs of all students. To accomplish this, the design for Mountain View School includes:
- classrooms for center-based learning to ensure multiple learning modalities with STEAM, literacy, and ‘morning meeting’ zones
- flexible furnishings for individual and group work
- classroom pairs that share a breakout space for team projects and special education pullouts
- flexible project space at the end of the hall in each learning neighborhood
- specialists dispersed throughout the school
- an Activity Room in the PK-K neighborhood with a platform, risers, and a ‘cave’ for movement, music, and other activities
- paired classrooms that share a lavatory and changing areas
Cost-effective and flexible, the Middle School band/chorus room has a two-sided stage opening to the gymnatorium and adaptive PE to maximize opportunities for varied performances and active learning for middle and elementary students.
Taking Advantage of Natural Beauty
The building stretches into the pastoral landscape of tree canopy and wetlands, with views of Mt. Tom. The courtyards between wings create an engaged learning landscape. We collaborated closely with the landscape architect to offer a range of outdoor learning and recreation activities in the courtyards with noisier performance and gross motor activities beyond. The new Mountain View School is truly a great place to learn and grow!
