Arrowstreet has worked with the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School through site selection, feasibility, and concept design for a new K-8 school located on a beautiful natural site in Franklin, MA. The project opened for the 2019 school year.

The pre-engineered metal structure was built as three separate buildings connected by exterior cladding in a neutral palette of greys and whites. The connections are highlighted by a cedar wood cladding with warm wood features, accentuating the school's rural surroundings.

The central commons connects directly with an outdoor courtyard, bringing the natural surroundings of the site into the learning environment. Designed as a U-shaped building, each wing ends with classrooms arranged with wider corridors, creating usable space and spill out room space. The building houses 900 students and was inspired by the local landscapes and traditional forms with modern interpretation, such as bold gable-end forms, large punched windows, crisp detailing, and a mix of reflective and naturalistic materials. The building’s central gathering space is known as the Commons and features a terraced learning stair. The natural site provides ample opportunity for educational exploration and the outdoor landscaping will make the school campus robust for students and the community with two playground areas, a teaching courtyard connected to the Commons, a playing field, and educational gardens.

"This building affords us the ability to strengthen our academic program, to build hands on experiences into our academic goals and objectives, and to provide after hours programming to support our students and families.” – Heather Zolnowski, Head of School, Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School