Birchland Park Middle School

East Longmeadow, Massachusetts

Firm

Mount Vernon Group Architects

Client

Town of East Longmeadow, Mass.

Area

7,215 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$739,486

Completion Date

09/2000

Birchland Park Middle School houses 800 students, grades 6 to 8, in a state-of-the-art educational facility designed for future expansion. Through a collaborative effort of administration and faculty, the district was able to fulfill educational program needs while addressing community budgetary limitations.
The building uses modern construction techniques and durable materials, resulting in an aesthetically attractive, spatially efficient and cost-effective design solution. Orientation of interior building components optimizes team-teaching by grade level, while simultaneously providing for extensive community use in a pleasant and secure environment.
The media center, with its central skylight, generous use of easterly facing windows and muted- finish tones, provides an inviting and comfortable study environment. Support of the educational program is augmented through the extensive use of technology throughout the building, as well as in the media center and studio. Remotely located from the IMC to facilitate after-hours use, the studio provides students and the community with a facility designed for local and distance learning.