Massachusetts Charter School Selects Architect for Renovation Project

The Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School (AMSA) in Marlborough, Mass., recently selected Boston-based Finegold Alexander Architects to provide the design for an upcoming series of renovation and addition projects. According to a press release, work to be done includes system upgrades, a new multipurpose building, interior fit-outs of a previous office building and redesigning the facility’s traffic patterns.

ASMA is a public charter school that opened in 2005 and serves students in grades 6–12. The academy owns and occupies a three-building campus in a former office park space; Finegold Alexander plans to repurpose the third and fourth floors of one of the office buildings to house additional facilities like science labs, classrooms and administrative space. It will also design a new, 14,000-square-foot multipurpose building.

“While the academic program at AMSA is thriving, our team was able to recognize the need to align the school’s various facilities to create a cohesive environment to support teaching and learning,” said Regan Shields Ives, Principal and K-12 studio leader at Finegold Alexander. “We are excited to embark on this significant partnership with AMSA to creatively address the design challenges that the school is currently facing. Our goal is to support its mission of integrity, excellence and community through innovative and welcoming design.”

Finegold Alexander has completed a number of K–12 projects in the New England area, including the Central Catholic Innovation and Wellness addition; Gibbs School in Arlington, Mass.; Eliot Innovation School in Boston, Mass.; and Methuen High School in Methuen, Mass.

“We are thrilled to partner with Finegold Alexander on transforming our campus into a 21st-century educational institution,” said ASMA Executive Director Ellen Linzey. “Their experience working with other K-12 schools will be invaluable in helping us improve our facilities for our students.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • College of the Desert Hits Construction Milestone on New Campus

    College of the Desert recently announced that the construction of its new Palm Springs Campus in Palm Springs, Calif., recently reached a major construction milestone, according to a news release. The college is partnering with general contractor C.W. Driver Companies, which recently “topped out” the facility by placing the final beam in its structure.

  • Deferred Maintenance Issues Growing at Universities, Gordian Reports

    U.S. colleges and universities are falling increasingly behind on facilities maintenance and repair, according to Gordian’s 13th annual State of Facilities in Higher Education report. The deferred capital renewal burden has reached $156 per gross square foot, an 8% increase over the previous year.

  • UT System Approves First Funds for New Campus

    The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently approved funds to build the first facility of a new campus in far west Fort Worth, Texas, according to university news. UTA West will serve as a branch of the University of Texas at Arlington and is scheduled to open in fall 2028.

  • 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.