Massachusetts Elementary School Enters Final Stage of Construction

Studio G Architects recently announced that a new elementary school in Groton, Mass., has reached the final stage of construction. Florence Roche Elementary School (FRES) will cover about 110,000 square feet and was designed to embody the district’s educational pedagogy of Universal Design for Learning. The facility will have the capacity for about 645 students between grades K–4 and is set for completion during summer 2024, according to a news release.

The Groton-Dunstable Regional School District is also partnering with Leftfield Project Management as the owner’s project manager and Gilbane as the Construction manager, the news release reports. Studio G brought its focus on sustainability to the project, creating modern and energy-efficient learning spaces, the news release reports.


Rendering courtesy of Studio G Architects

Reflecting UDL principles of design, the building is organized into grade-level learning neighborhoods each featuring a shared project area, pull-out spaces, and integrated special ed support. “This environment supports Universal Design for Learning with the spaces and features needed for the engagement, teaching representation, and learning expression for all students,” said Studio G Architects’ Marylee Mercy, Project Architect and Accredited Learning Environment Planner.

“At Studio G, we believe that great design begins with a deep understanding of our clients' needs and aspirations,” said Gail Sullivan, Managing Partner at Studio G Architects. “Through extensive collaboration with Groton-Dunstable Regional School District, teachers, students and the community, we have developed a design that embodies the district's vision for 21st-century learning.”

About the Author

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

Featured

  • California District Debuts New High-School CTE Center

    The West Sonoma County Union High School District (WSCUHSD) in Sebastopol, Calif., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new CTE Center at Analy High School, according to a news release. The district partnered with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) for the facility’s design and GCCI for its construction, and funding came from local Measure A bond funds.

  • Western Kentucky University Breaks Ground on First Phase of $350M Student Housing Project

    Western Kentucky University (WKU) in Bowling Green, Ky., recently broke ground on the first phase of a $350-million student housing initiative, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Gilbane Development through a public-private partnership (P3) to replace aging residence halls and modernize on-campus living accommodations.

  • 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.

  • DLR Group Announces New Mid-Atlantic Higher Education Leader

    Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that it has promoted Principal Shawn Gaither, AIA, LEED AP, to the role of higher education leader in the Mid-Atlantic, according to a news release. Gaither has served with the firm for more than 20 years, most recently as the national higher education business development leader.