Town of Leicester to Assess Middle School and Existing Public School Buildings

Finegold Alexander Architects proudly announces they have been selected by the Town of Leicester, Mass. and the Massachusetts School Building Authority as the Architects for the Feasibility and Schematic Design phases of the Leister Middle School project.

“We are thrilled to be working with Finegold Alexander to help build the new Middle School,” said Marilyn Tenzca, superintendent, Leicester Public Schools. “They understand our community and we are excited about the process which will help us educate students for the future.”

Leicester Middle School was originally constructed in 1961 as the Leicester High School. The building is a single-story structure of approximately 74,000 square feet. The location of the existing building is part of a 43-acre campus that is shared with the Leicester Primary School and the Leicester High School.

The building was converted to the Leicester Middle School in 1994, upon the opening of the new high school. The town is seeking to address the educational program limitations and the facility deficits of the current middle school, but also to evaluate the project in context of the overall School District needs and vision.

The Feasibility Study kicked-off with an existing building and site conditions assessment in parallel with a series of Educational Visioning Workshops with the district, including representatives from the school administration, faculty, staff, parents and students. “The visioning session helped to identify and understand the aspirations of the school and the community. It also uncovers key community issues and concerns related to the project,” said Regan Shields Ives, principal, Finegold Alexander Architects.

“The feasibility study will evaluate options for renovations, expansion, or creation of a new building as well as potential grade configurations ranging from a 6-8, 5-8 or pK-8 school.

“At the conclusion of the Feasibility Study, a preferred schematic design option will be presented to the MSBA for a vote to move forward into the Schematic Design phase.

More information is availalble at www.faainc.com.

Featured

  • Geometric abstract school illustration

    How Design Shapes Learning and Success

    Can the color of a wall, the curve of a chair, or the hum of fluorescent lights really affect how a student learns? More schools are beginning to think so.

  • Photo credit - Chuck Coates

    Florida District Modernizes Central Energy Plants at Two High Schools

    Flagler Schools, a public school district in Flagler County, Fla., recently partnered with Matern Professional Engineering to modernize the central energy plants at two of its high schools, according to a news release. The project is part of a larger, district-wide effort to reduce energy costs and operational expenses.

  • Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, OR

    Preserving Legacy, Designing for the Future

    As historic academic buildings age, institutions face a difficult decision: preserve and adapt or demolish and rebuild. How do we honor the legacy of these spaces while adapting them to meet the needs of modern learners?

  • Armstrong World Industries Acquires Parallel Architectural Products

    Armstrong World Industries, provider of interior and exterior architectural applications, recently announced that it has acquired the Colorado-based Parallel Architectural Products, according to a news release.