With years of partnership between SMMA and the town of Andover, including the Bancroft Elementary School, High Plain Elementary School and Wood Hill Middle School projects, the teams were able to overcome COVID related obstacles with a strong foundation of trust and communication.
With years of partnership between SMMA and the town of Andover, including the Bancroft Elementary School, High Plain Elementary School and Wood Hill Middle School projects, the teams were able to overcome COVID related obstacles with a strong foundation of trust and communication.
The new design intentionally focuses on mobility and accessibility.
Improving navigation within the facility, students enter the hub, or most communal areas of the school. These spaces include a large cafeteria/multipurpose area, two music rooms, and a fitness/dance studio.
Design elements throughout the library contribute to the emphasis on flexibility and variability.
Lightweight furniture allows teachers and students to arrange seating easily, accommodating classroom gatherings and small group discussions alike. Short bookshelves keep the area open and bright, while ceilings slope upward, directing the eye toward large windows that flood the media center with natural light.
Lightweight furniture allows teachers and students to arrange seating easily, accommodating classroom gatherings and small group discussions alike. Short bookshelves keep the area open and bright, while ceilings slope upward, directing the eye toward large windows that flood the media center with natural light.
Design elements throughout the library contribute to the emphasis on flexibility and variability.
The building is broken into wings throughout three floors, thoughtfully arranging homerooms by grade.
Homerooms include furniture and details that promote children’s agency and independence. Features like bench window seats enable students to have time away from the energy of the class, either alone, or with friends, while creating a connection with the outdoors.
Each grade has an interactive learning common, providing teachers with more flexibility to support learning through movement, beyond traditional reading and listening methods. Additional resource rooms and small group rooms contribute to this effort.
Students can immerse themselves in nature through various outdoor spaces including a wetland boardwalk, rooftop courtyard, outdoor classrooms, a sensory garden, and greenhouse. Intentional outdoor design strategies aim to keep students focused and engaged. Recreation spaces include synthetic turf baseball and softball fields, multipurpose natural and formal gathering spaces, and three play structures.
The Shawsheen Preschool integration allows the community to upgrade their facilities.
Located in its own wing of the school, Shawsheen Preschool features numerous modern spaces to promote education for diverse learners, including a sensory room, private areas for medically fragile children, and a group speech classroom.
Located in its own wing of the school, Shawsheen Preschool features numerous modern spaces to promote education for diverse learners, including a sensory room, private areas for medically fragile children, and a group speech classroom.
