Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Finegold Alexander Debuts Design of Rhode-Island Elementary School

  • By Matt Jones
  • 01/17/23

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

  • Full Sail University Announces First Student Housing Facility

    Full Sail University in Winter Park, Fla., recently announced that development has begun on its first student housing community, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Nvision Development for construction and long-term management of the facility, which will stand five stories and have the capacity for more than 570 beds.

  • Academy of Classical Education Breaks Ground in Louisiana

    Charter Schools USA (CSUSA) recently announced the groundbreaking of a new public charter school in Covington, La., according to a news release. The Academy of Classical Education at Covington will enroll students in grades K–8 and is scheduled for completion in August 2026, just in time for the new school year.

  • Arizona District Breaks Ground on Community Training, Learning Center

    The Tolleson Union High School District (TUHSD) in Tolleson, Ariz., recently broke ground on a new Training & Learning Center (TLC) for both district professionals and the community at large, according to a news release. The 90,000-square-foot facility has an estimated completion date of spring 2027.

  • University of Pittsburgh to Build New Residence Hall

    The Board of Trustees from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Penn., recently approved the construction of a new residence hall for first-year students, according to university news.