The school features a “civic core” and an “academic wing”.
The design locates the highest point of the school central to the site and “steps” the building down to the residential street. The three-story academic core is at the quiet center, while the more civic functions step down to the residential height of the surrounding neighborhood.
The site design protects nearby wetlands.
SMMA’s expertise in environmental permitting helped earn the necessary approvals from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Separately, the final design features segregated bus and parent drop-off areas and parking for faculty and visitors.
The academic wing divides into six social units of less than 100 students each.
One grade occupies each of the three floors. These team-teaching areas comprise four core classrooms, a special-education space, and a teacher planning area. Students enjoy project-based learning in shared spaces between the science rooms.
The dining commons serves as a hub that doubles as an informal gathering and learning space. In after-school hours it becomes a pre- and post-function space for the community, gym, and stage.
The Middle School’s long, narrow east-to-west configuration helps to optimize solar orientation.
Rainwater is harvested from the building’s sloping roofs. Other sustainable features include high-performance glazing, daylight sensors, sunshades, efficient lighting with energy performance 30% above code, demand control ventilation, and a 50-kilowatt photovoltaic system.
The sustainable design ties into the school’s STEM curriculum.
Students and teachers study data from a data-acquisition system that is networked to classrooms, public spaces, and student tablet computers. Each teacher is tasked with using sustainability data in their lesson plans each year.
Natural light and views benefit student attentiveness and focus.
Every room and circulation space has access to natural light—direct or borrowed. Sloped classroom ceilings “bounce” light deep into the rooms, while ceiling lights automatically dim.
