Finegold Alexander Debuts Design of Rhode-Island Elementary School

Architecture firm Finegold Alexander, based in Boston, Mass., recently released the design for a ground-up rebuild of a 1950s-era elementary school in Cranston, R.I., according to a news release. The firm is partnering with the City of Cranston and Cranston Public Schools on the new, 100,000-square-foot Gladstone Elementary School. The space will stand three stories, have the capacity for about 800 students in grades K–5, and serve as the city’s international school.

A news release reports that Finegold Alexander made use of the site’s topography to create a smaller building footprint for the sake of energy efficiency. The layout also takes into account the building’s solar orientation to maximize the use of daylighting and create scenic views for students and teachers. The school features six separate Learning Communities, each a single suite of interconnected rooms, according to the news release. Each floor also features Curiosity Centers for subjects like music, art, and maker spaces. The site also features outdoor learning spaces, playgrounds, and a communal garden.

Gladstone Elementary School rendering
Image courtesy of Finegold Alexander

“Finegold Alexander is excited to share the design of the new Gladstone Elementary School,” said Finegold Alexander Principal Regan Shields Ives. “The design is focused on fostering interaction, communication, and creativity while giving the school the ability to adapt as their needs change over the decades.”

The news release reports that the project is currently in the design development phase with an estimated completion date of summer 2025.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Building Beyond Simulation: Creating Immersive Ecosystems for Healthcare Education

    Health sciences education is one of the fastest-growing facility types in colleges and universities. The demand for medical, nursing, and allied health professionals is driving the creation and renovation of medical simulation training facilities that provide students with real-world experience through advanced simulation-based learning.

  • UPenn Announces Completion of New Veterinary Education Facility

    The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Penn., recently finished construction on an 11,800-square-foot veterinary education building, according to a news release. The Gail P. Riepe Center for Advanced Veterinary Education is the first dedicated classroom facility at the New Bolton Center, a large-animal hospital and campus about 35 miles west of the campus proper.

  • Sam Houston State University Completes Athletic Stadium Renovations

    Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, recently announced the reopening of Elliott T. Bowers Stadium after an extensive renovation project, according to a news release. The university partnered with Stantec and DLR Group for the project’s design.