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Site Plan
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Ground Floor Plan
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Main Floor Plan
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Second Floor Plan
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Third Floor Plan
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The color scheme featuring earth tones is intended to feel welcoming for a school that puts community at the center of all it does.
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The foreground shows a play area for young children; the background shows the academic pods and the light-filled common rooms in each “neighborhood.”
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A student-led lobby project features student’s words, artwork, and history. A flag display celebrates their many heritages and inspired the entire interior design.
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The interior design emulates the flags from the lobby in this centrally located cafeteria, which is positioned well for both daily and after-hours use.
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The 750-seat auditorium includes a professional-level theater experience including state-of-the art sound and lighting systems, front and rear catwalks, and fly loft.
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These flexible spaces found within each academic pod feature movable furniture and multiple display opportunities for large gatherings, small group work, and personalized support.
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This uplifting, light-filled space features natural views and includes acoustic panels that take inspiration from the prominent display of flags in the lobby.
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The science classroom spaces were designed with the flexibility to be fit-up for any science discipline. The overhead structure allows demonstrations of physics concepts.
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Vocational programs at the school include Auto Diesel Technology, one of three programs statewide, now offered in a clean, safe, large and visually appealing space.
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The professional-level kitchen allows students in the school’s culinary arts career and technical program to use modern equipment in a bright and spacious facility.
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A daycare facility on-site allows student parents to continue their educations while their children are cared for in a cheerful, safe and modern space.
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This student-run nonprofit provides clothes, shoes and supplies to students and families. Other in-school services include life skills training, food pantry, daycare and health centers.
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Bruce T. Martin
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Christina S. Bazelmans
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Bruce T. Martin
PROJECT NARRARTIVE
A large urban public school serving 1,420 students in grade 9-12, South High Community School serves a socio-economically diverse section of the city, including students struggling with food insecurity and homelessness. To address the many needs of the community, several unique spaces were incorporated, including a health clinic, food pantry, childcare center, and their student-led nonprofit organization, Andy’s Attic, which distributes donated clothing, shoes, and school supplies to students and families.
Community is at the heart of the school’s culture, so one important design element was a lobby project to capture and celebrate that culture. The student-led collaborative project involved teachers and staff, architects and artists, and key members of the local community. The concept was to define “community” through multiple media, inclusive of the many perspectives and voices of this diverse community, to create a space that is welcoming and inspiring.
The scale of the building is appropriately large at 360,000 square feet and intentionally feels expansive. The district wanted large core spaces and a collegiate feel. The approach was to design a low-maintenance, durable and aesthetically appropriate school building to serve the community for the long-term. Multiple sustainability strategies have the project on track for LEED Silver certification.
South High Community School
Category
High School
Description
Owner
City of Worcester
Worcester, MA
Architecture Firm
Lamoureux Pagano Associates | Architects
Worcester,Massachusetts
lpaa.com
Photography By:
Bruce T. Martin
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