Fales Elementary School

Westborough, Massachusetts

Firm

HMFH Architects

Client

Westborough Public Schools

Area

70,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$45,750,000

Completion Date

11/2021

Ed Wonsek Artworks

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Design team
Pip Lewis AIA, NOMA, LEED AP (Project Director); Vassilios Valaes AIA, LEED AP (Project Manager); Andrea Yoder AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Caitlin Osepchuk AIA (Project Architects)

The first net-positive-energy public school in New England, the Annie E. Fales Elementary School is a showcase of energy-efficient design. On track to achieve LEED Platinum certification, the all-electric facility generates 11.6% more energy than it uses. The lower-level public spaces—cafetorium, gymnasium, and administrative offices—are built into the hillside to reduce heat loss and gain. An extensive geothermal well field heats and cools the building, and north-facing clerestories support a 25,000-square-foot rooftop PV array.

Creating a welcoming and intimate scale for young students was an important community design goal. To promote academic, social, and emotional well-being, each child-centric learning environment features a strong visual connection to the outdoors and whimsical graphics depicting local ecosystems. The design clusters classrooms by grade level within two academic wings, providing easy access to the centrally situated music and art classrooms, makerspaces, and media center. The sculptural sawtooth roof design creates unique interior architecture throughout that fills the school with natural light.