By Douglas Roberts, AIA, LEED AP��

��In an era of project��delays��and��increasing challenges around funding approvals,��it’s��never been more critical to apply strategic thinking and creative approaches to problem solving��to steer education projects to completion. Feasibility studies��are��a useful tool both internally and externally, delivering relevant data and information to project teams while informing stakeholders of the��why��behind each decision. These essential undertakings provide a deep dive to define a program, evaluate existing facilities, and build public consensus on a project.����

The importance of a��project’s relationship with the public cannot be overstated, particularly when it comes to education.��Education��projects are typically publicly funded and��largely depend��on approval by local voters. With the importance of providing value to the community and��demonstrating��prudent��financial��stewardship, designers and project managers take on the unique role of pulling the curtain back to walk��stakeholders��through the logic behind��educational value, cost��implications��and schedule impacts. The use of feasibility studies clarifies this important context, evaluating critical components of a project and delivering this information through data-backed decision-making.��

Located in Massachusetts, Tyngsborough Middle School��provides��a compelling example. Developed in tandem with the Town of Tyngsborough and Tyngsborough Public Schools, the��feasibility��study informed the decision-making process for the new school while��facilitating��an informative dialogue with the community.��

Overview of Feasibility Study Process��

In addition to local processes, the project first had to navigate the rigorous requirements of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), a quasi-independent government authority that collaborates with local communities to help to elevate delivery of educational services. The organization’s prescriptive process promotes��equitable��distribution of tax dollars and prioritizes educational outcomes throughout the Commonwealth. MSBA independently evaluates the school district’s defined��needs��through the educational program,��which can result in design solutions that range from code upgrades,��additions��and renovations to ground-up facilities.����

Project teams are engaged to conduct feasibility studies that evaluate options for an educational environment that meets the district’s needs and is cost effective, safe,��sustainable��and energy efficient. Using MSBA’s guidelines to chart a reasonable path forward for the development, the study must be factual, creating context for dialogue without advocating for a single solution. A successful study��(and��subsequent��project)��relies on the close collaboration of a “three-headed team”: the school district (via its School Building Committee), the owner’s project manager (OPM), and the design team. Additionally, having strong community advocates, like school administrators and building committee chairs, can make��a big difference��in successfully navigating the process and garnering support throughout a community.��

Built in 1967, the original Tyngsborough Middle School building had been renovated but not expanded, raising concerns that ranged from antiquated systems and aging FF&E to space limitations and��impact on��adoption of current instructional models. After consideration of multiple design options from the study, the Town��elected��to pursue a new construction��option��based on its needs.��

Relationship to Public��

The community’s demands, priorities, and feedback are essential throughout the��feasibility��study and project planning.��It’s��not a one-size-fits-all situation; to build trust and support from stakeholders, education projects must be catered to the area. This requires a variety of considerations: is there a focus on sports and recreation, or the arts? Are there certain programs that draw more community participation than others? For Tyngsborough, this meant investing in��a state-of-the-art��softball field and a��flexible performance space to support existing, high-value theater programs shared by the middle and high school. The community recognized the benefit of the project through the successful vote approving the project funding.��

These studies are also critical for educating the public on hidden infrastructure needs, such as outdated MEP systems, and building consensus. If voters��don’t��comprehend��demands that��aren’t��visually��apparent, a project could fail, which can result in years-long delayed funding and increased costs. Clear and direct communication is key to relaying these messages; this can be��accomplished��through in-person and digital forums, attending Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) meetings, or even visiting local senior��centers for those with limited mobility. Streamlining this dialogue through direct action is the most effective way to keep communities knowledgeable and satisfied, resulting in more positive project outcomes for every stakeholder.��

Looking Ahead

For Tyngsborough, pursuing a ground-up structure allowed the school to provide the infrastructure and spatial requirements for flexible, project-based learning and co-teaching methodologies. The brand new two-story, 112,784 square foot facility is adaptable for current and future pedagogy, incorporating��state-of-the-art��spaces for STEM/STEAM and performing arts, community access and resources, and sustainability integrations that keep the new school adaptable for generations to come.����

As school districts and organizations like MSBA continue to evaluate needs as learning environments and technology evolves, these feasibility-informed decisions chart a well-rounded path forward for students, educators, and communities. Creating unique education design solutions tailored to a community’s long-term vision and needs, not just its current state, is made possible through this process—embracing the future while honoring the present.��

Douglas Roberts, AIA, LEED AP, is Principal at��

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By Lindsey Coulter��

LAWRENCE, Mass. — The Community Group (TCG), a nonprofit dedicated to education and family support, celebrated a major project milestone with the signing of the structural steel framing for the organization’s new educational facility in Lawrence. The much-anticipated project broke ground in July and will transform learning and care opportunities for local children and families. The project is part of TCG’s goal to establish a new, year-round home for several of its programs. During the school day, the facility will serve as home to 480 CDCPS students in grades 5–8, providing a unified middle school experience. The facility is expected to open in summer 2027.��

“This beam that we’re about to sign represents our shared mission for what this educational facility will offer to our students, our family, and our community,” said Maria Gonzalez Moeller, TCG Chief Executive Officer, at the event. “It symbolizes growth, opportunity and our continued commitment to providing high quality learning environments to the children and families of Lawrence.”��

When complete, the new 53,000-square-foot facility will house the��Community Kids Place, TCG’s school-age childcare and enrichment program which serves approximately 300 children,��and it will unify three upper school campuses of Community Day Charter Public School under one roof. The building will also serve the broader community through after-school programs, athletics and youth summer activities. Located on the site of a former farm, the facility will include instructional space, offices, gymnasium, cafeteria, playing fields and outdoor learning areas for a seamless connection to nature. ��

The project team includes construction firm W.T. Rich, real estate consulting firm QPD, and Finegold Alexander Architects ��

“We’ve really enjoyed working so closely with the whole TCG team to bring this project to fruition,” said Regan Shields Ives, Principal and K-12 Studio Leader at Finegold Alexander Architects. “We set out to make this new educational facility one that really reflects the TCG community of children, educators, parents and caregivers; one that is warm, safe, and inviting as well as inspiring.”��

In addition to serving as will a year-round, versatile educational hub, it will include nnovative instruction and project-based learning, supported by dedicated STEM and enrichment classrooms serving both school-day and out-of-school-time programs. The building will also offer access to indoor recreation, sports programming, and communal gatherings, anchored by a modern full-sized gymnasium and a welcoming cafeteria with A/V capabilities. Nature-based educational and recreational experiences will take place across acres of outdoor green space, promoting physical wellness and social-emotional growth. A nurturing environment with thoughtfully designed classroom pods and breakout spaces will foster personalized learning and include home-like design touches to promote comfort and connection.��

At the July groundbreaking event, Moeller noted that the project is more than simply a building. ��

“It represents our commitment to creating a modern, community-centered environment where children and families can thrive,” said Moeller. “This new facility will provide the space, design, and resources necessary to support high-quality learning and care for generations to come.”��

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WESTPORT, Mass.—Construction continues on the new $75 million Westport Middle-High School project in Westport.

When completed in fall 2021, the 187,100-square-foot school will be able to accommodate up to 860 students in grades 5 to 12. This two-story educational building is designed on a project-based learning curriculum with an emphasis on STEAM education. There will be a Learning Commons on the ground floor, along with a maker space, fabrication labs, and childcare vocational spaces.

Jonathan Levi Architects is the design firm on this impressive project. Agostini Construction is the general contractor.

The project also includes two full size gymnasiums, 1,320 square feet of physical education alternative space, and a walking track.

The Middle and High school academic spaces are separated from each other, and both will have access to a shared commons. A state-of-the-art library media center is located on the main floor adjacent to the main entrance.

“The new Westport Middle-High School has been designed to reflect new understandings in education,” said Superintendent Gary Reese, in a statement.

“Our students will be better prepared to become productive, contributing members of society as a result of the new and innovative learning opportunities that they will experience in the new building.”

The building envelope consists of masonry, glazing and metal panels. The project is seeking certification from the US Green Building Council’s LEED Rating System, Version 4 (LEEDv4) New Construction and Major Renovation.

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TAUNTON, Mass.—When completed next summer, the new $42.5 million Mulcahey Elementary School in Taunton will showcase a one-story building with core areas for the art and music classrooms, gymnasium, cafeteria and associated kitchen and support spaces. A three-story classroom wing will include a one-and-a-half story media center and administration offices.

Spanning more than 119,000 square feet, construction includes a combination of steel frame construction and masonry bearing wall construction at the gymnasium area. A fire wall will bisect the project into two buildings.

Exterior finishes will include brick and cast stone masonry with limited areas of fiber cement panel siding. Windows and entrances will be aluminum framed systems. Roofing will be low-slope single-ply membrane throughout, with a combination of metal and prefabricated FRP cornices.

The new school has been sited to allow for the ongoing use of the existing school. Phased construction will be required to complete the new construction, provide temporary site features, and complete demolition and remaining site work once the new structure is complete and occupied.

Agostini Construction is the general contractor on this impressive project. Dore & Whittier Architects is the architect.

The new school is registered with a goal to receive LEED Silver certification under the LEED-S v4 rating system.

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FRAMINGHAM, Mass.—Ground was broken recently on a new $98.3 million middle school in Framingham that will replace the existing Fuller Middle School.

The groundbreaking comes six months after voters in the city overwhelmingly approved a debt exclusion for the city’s part of the new school, which will replace the 61-year-old Fuller Middle School.

When built in 1958, the Fuller Middle School was originally the Framingham South High School. According to a statement from the Framingham, Mass., School District, when the North and South high schools combined to create Framingham High School in the 1990s, the building was repurposed into a middle school. The district determined that renovating the aging facility would be more costly than new construction and would provide no educational improvements.

The new school is expected to open in 2021-22. The existing school will remain open during construction. Consigli Construction is the general contractor on this impressive project, and Jonathan Levi Architects is the architect.

The new three-story building will include a learning commons/cafeteria at the core surrounded by collaboration balconies. In addition to��classrooms, the school will have an 8,300-square-foot gymnasium, a 420-seat auditorium, and space dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) instruction.

A model of sustainable design, the new school will incorporate��innovative approaches to saving energy to provide a comfortable, safe environment. Classroom windows will be split into a lower and upper section;��the lower section glass will provide natural light, views and fresh air, and the upper section will be positioned��over “light shelves” that��reflect daylight onto a white ceiling, which in turn shines deep into the room. The lighting is designed to dim or brighten depending on how sunny it is outside.

Last year, the Massachusetts School Building Authority agreed to reimburse $39.5 million to the city for the school construction, leaving the other $58.8 million for local taxpayers to pay.

It’s time that we moved to this 21st-century education,” said Fuller Principal Jose Duarte, in a statement.

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LEICESTER, Mass.—The Board of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) recently approved the Leicester Middle School Schematic Design Study Project for the Town of Leicester.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the existing Leicester Middle School and determine the most cost-effective option for renovating or potentially creating a new school building. The study investigated options for grades 5-8, 6-8, or PK-8 on the existing Leicester Middle School site.

The MSBA approved an Estimated Maximum Total Facilities grant of $41 million for the project. With the total project budget slated for $91.4 million, the Town of Leicester will vote to put funding the balance of the cost on the ballot at a town meeting on September 26. If approved, this will be followed by a community vote to continue the project into full design and construction. This important decision for the town’s residents will take place on Election Day–November 3.

Finegold Alexander Architects was selected back in 2018 by the Town of Leicester and the MSBA as the architects for the Feasibility Study and Schematic Design phases of the Leicester PK-8 School project, and will continue to serve as the Architect of Record upon a favorable town vote.

These phases required in-depth coordination with the school district and school building committee to create detailed reports submitted to the MSBA for review and approval. These requirements included, among many others, preparing a full educational program addressing PreK-8 needs, site and geotechnical testing to understand the subsurface conditions, evaluation of building and site design options, preliminary energy-efficient building systems, a building maintenance plan, and cost estimates.

“We are thrilled to have reached this important milestone in the project,” said Marilyn Tenzca, Superintendent, Leicester Public Schools. “After participating in an extensive community visioning process for the school, and considering many design options, we feel that Finegold Alexander Architects understands our community and created a comprehensive and cost-effective solution for a dynamic school to educate our students now and for the future.”

With the new PK-8 facility replacing three outdated schools, the benefits are creating a unified school campus adjacent to the high school and a facility that houses two schools – elementary and middle – under one roof. The community will have access to spaces such as the gym, health and wellness studio, and cafetorium after hours.

“Early in the design process the community participated in multiple Educational Visioning Workshops that allowed us to translate the feedback from teachers, administrators, parents, students and community members into guiding principles for design,” said Regan Shields Ives, principal, Finegold Alexander Architects.

“The workshops provided the basis for the approved schematic design. We look forward to continuing our work with the community to further develop a future-forward learning environment that is safe, inspirational, cost-effective, energy efficient and child centered.”

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QUINCY, Mass.— Calling it a “building of hope,” city leaders in Quincy celebrated the completion of its newest school, the South-West Middle School, a $58 million 96,000-square-foot facility that will usher in the next generation of learning. BOND, the Northeast’s premier building, civil, utility and energy construction firm, built the new school on time and on budget and celebrated the milestone alongside community members, students and school officials.

During the course of the two-year project, BOND developed phasing and logistic plans, constructability analyses, proposed value engineering alternatives to maintain the project budget, and then constructed the new building just a few feet away from the Sterling Middle School, the occupied building being replaced.

“We’re extremely proud of this important milestone at South-West Middle School,” said Frank Hayes, COO and President of BOND’s Building Division. “The complexity of this type of building working alongside a fully-occupied school allowed us to think strategically at every step of the project.”

South-West Middle School features collaborative learning spaces, a media center, gymnasium, music and art rooms, administrative offices, a café and an auditorium. The state-of-the-art learning facility is complete with STEM circulation zones that encourage project-based learning, an open floor plan and glass walls to create a synergetic environment.

New safety enhancements were built into the facility including glass walls electrified with a film that turns the glass opaque with the flip of a switch – making it impossible to see who is inside the classroom – an added safety measure in the event of a lockdown.

“Building off the growing trend of innovative and modernized schools, the light-filled spaces and technology-rich classrooms allow this new building to facilitate a high-quality of student engagement for the next generation of learning,” said Robert Murray, BOND President.

“We love to build these facilities, because we really see what happens in them,” said Ken Johnson, VP Education, BOND. “The speed, the new way that teachers are going to be able to teach, the opportunities for them to create, I think is tremendous. It gives us a great deal of satisfaction to be able to contribute to that, and to know that we’ve helped make a difference in these students’ lives and in the community.”

Since 1907, BOND has managed many of the Northeast’s most complex construction projects. BOND operates as a construction manager for academic, healthcare and life science clients and a self-performing general contractor for the power and energy industry.

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Lexington, MA.—In early October, officials from Minuteman Regional Vocational High School, ��along with representatives from the state of Massachusetts, joined Gilbane Building Company, Kaestle Boos Architects, teachers and students to celebrate the official ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new $145-million school.

Completed a year ahead of schedule, the two-story, 257,000-square-foot facility accommodates 628 students and has been designed to foster collaboration between academic and vocational classes.

The building itself is bifurcated in two—one half housing the Engineering, Construction and Trades Academy, which offers such pathways as carpentry or web development; and the other half devoted to the Life Sciences and Services Academy where students can explore careers in cosmetology or biotechnology.

Superintendent Dr. Edward Bouquillon commended the team on a job well done.

“Together, we have built a school that is second to none—a 21st-century vocational-technical high school, founded on the principles of collaboration, integration and supporting the whole learner.”

Connecting the two wings—or academies—is the student union; a naturally lit, open-air atrium, complete with an outdoor courtyard that provides students from various learning tracts with a common space to gather, collaborate and share ideas.

The new facility boasts traditional classrooms and vocational spaces, as well as security features, such as secured vestibules and shooter detection capabilities.

“Minuteman High School is a true showcase of the region’s investment and commitment in not only its students, but in the future of these communities and their workforces,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president and business unit leader for Gilbane in Massachusetts.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the entire team; their focus on collaboration and adherence to Lean principals allowed us to deliver this landmark project to the students and the communities an entire school year ahead of schedule.”

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