Although winning awards is never at the forefront of our design intent, it’s always nice to be recognized for a job well done. Which is why we’re happy to announce that our Bancroft Elementary School project was selected as a People’s Choice Award winner—for Favorite Space to Study—in this year’s AIA New England Design Awards. 

The 99,000-square-foot school, which opened in 2014, is SMMA’s most recently completed K-12 facility, accommodating approximately 460 students in kindergarten through grade five. Its design recalls the traditional New England-style architecture of the surrounding rural community. 

“Bancroft Elementary School is our second project for the Andover community, and has elevated our elementary school design to new heights,” said Lorraine Finnegan, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Director of SMMA’s K-12 Market. “The integration of the open plan ‘culture’ of the old Bancroft into the new 21st century environment has produced a school that is warm and inviting, and offers areas for gathering and collaborating, both within the building and outside.” 

As pleased as we are with the recognition, we are most excited about providing the Town of Andover with a facility designed to deliver the best education possible to its children for years to come.