LEARNING BY DESIGN magazine - Harris Brook Elementary School

Site layout and building orientation provide easy identification of the main and community entrances, safe site circulation and maximizes daylighting.
Floor plans provide easy wayfinding and consistent classroom neighborhood layouts. Classroom wings are secured from Common Core/Community spaces during community events.
Floor plans provide easy wayfinding and consistent classroom neighborhood layouts. Classroom wings are secured from Common Core/Community spaces during community events.
A glass curtainwall under the main entry canopy serves as an inviting focal point for the school. Ample plaza enables safe outdoor area for waiting or gathering.
At the community entrance the stone seating area encourages school and community gatherings as well as outdoor classroom learning.
The multipurpose Cafetorium is bright and welcoming and can double in size by opening the partition dividing the gym and cafeteria.
Breakout spaces outside of the classrooms feature white boards and colorful, flexible furniture for students to connect and work together.
The media center has plenty of natural light, views to the outdoors, and a variety of seating options for individual or small group learning.
Bright classrooms with views to nature, feature smartboards and flexible furniture which can be moved and reshaped for group activities.
The entry lobby is bright and welcoming. The two story skyline spine of the building proceeds from end to end.
Brett Beyer Photography
Brett Beyer Photography
Brett Beyer Photography

PROJECT NARRARTIVE

Designed for 630 students in grades 2 to 5, the new Harris Brook Elementary School is an efficient, cost-effective solution that fully responds to the School District’s Educational Plan and School Building Committee’s goals.

The new school consists of a two-story design that contains two identical educational classroom “neighborhood” wings, a centralized community core and single-story administration area. The plan provides a centrally located core including the Gymnasium, Cafetorium and Media Center, allowing for ease of use by both educational and community programs. The two classroom wings create grade specific learning neighborhoods and can be separately closed-off during community events, after hours operations, and/or emergency situations. Optimal interior learning environments are flexible and provide secure multi-use educational and community spaces.

At the community entrance, the stone wall seating encourages outdoor classroom learning as well as community gathering space. The breakout spaces adjacent to the indoor classrooms combine colorful, flexible seating and technology for interactive group activities.

Monitors displaying the building’s energy consumption serve as a learning tool by educating students and visitors about energy and water conversation. Mount Vernon Group Architects’ design features sustainable and durable materials and systems consistent with the District’s maintenance goals and NE-CHPS initiatives.

Harris Brook Elementary School

Description

Owner
Town of Ludlow/Ludlow Public Schools
Ludlow, MA

Architecture Firm
Mount Vernon Group Architects
Boston,Massachusetts
www.mvgarchitects.com

Photography By:
Brett Beyer Photography

Harris Brook Elementary School

Category

Description