Site Plan

First Floor

Second Floor

Third Floor

The modernized school creatively links the historic 1886 building to its addition, connected by a glass-edged Commons. Prior to this project, the old school could only be entered through its basement level. The base of the historic school has been landscaped to create an "occupiable berm" where people can gather. On the right side of the image, the Library Media Center perches above the street and provides a perspective over the rooftops of the community.

A glass-edged atrium seamlessly connects the historic with the new to celebrate the original historic façades while amplifying transparency and indoor-outdoor connections. The neutral palette of the addition is designed to complement, and not compete with, the historic original. The new front entrance provides gathering space for the community, and important amenity in this dense neighborhood.

Bridging old and new: The original 1886 building is embraced by the new addition, creating a holistic result. Once only accessible through a basement stair, the historic building is now connected on every level by a glassy link. A dramatic stair leads to the Discovery Commons, which supports major social functions of the school as well as dining and physical education. Learning areas overlook the Commons, ensuring that it functions as the heart of the re-imagined school.

The Discovery Commons is readily adaptable, with a layering of operable walls, filters, and furniture that can easily support more than ten different configurations on any given day. The grand stair and its platform create a perch for observing or for presenting. Beyond that, flexible gathering becomes student dining. When the motorized wall is closed, PE and lunch can occur simultaneously. There is no end to the functional capabilities of this space.

Many specialized activity zones, such as the Think Tank (science classroom), look out on and open into the large Discovery Commons at Maury. Learning is on display, and break-out activities can occur spontaneously. Flexible furnishings facilitate this fluidity.

The Discovery Commons lends itself well to a growing necessity for social distancing and open-air spaces, as it opens entirely up to the outdoor playscape. Physical activity, movement, and active learning are encouraged and celebrated throughout the school.

The art room is a bustling studio with ample daylight. Furnishings are flexible to allow for reconfiguration. A sliding window opens to the Discovery Commons (not shown), allowing for spillover of artmaking into the large group area beyond.

The Maker Space supports hands-on and project-based learning and nurtures meaningful relationships, both student-to-student and student-to-teacher. It is also used for meetings, Chinese language instruction, and other demands. For a busy school with a vibrant program on a tight urban site, every inch of space is hard-working.

The original 1886 classrooms meet the same standards as the newly constructed spaces with some special 1880s features, such as wood flooring and large windows on two sides of each space. The original cloak rooms (accessible through the door at the far left) contain the cubbies and casework, creating a more fluid and historic interior environment in the classroom itself.

All classrooms contain a variety of learning areas, including niches and alcoves. Each classroom has a sink, which is important for teaching and practicing good hygiene. Furnishings are flexible and durable. Ergonomics are important to student health and well-being. This classroom is in the temperate biome, as reflected by its color palette.

One of six commissioned artworks - this one located in the Library Atrium - celebrates work done by local artists, capturing playful, biophilic themes.

Inside the link between old and new, the connector is more than just a transition zone. It is an active learning zone with perches for students to sit, climb, and collaborate. In the foreground is a public art project reflecting the school's environmentally themed color schemes and content.

Alan Karchmer

Alan Karchmer

Alan Karchmer