Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Design Team: Architx, LLC; Daedalus Projects, Inc.; Dodson & Flinker, Inc.; Farland Corp.; Engineers Design Group, Inc.; Griffith & Vary, Inc.; Garcia, Galuska, DeSousa, Inc.; New Vista Design; Crabtree McGrath Associates, Inc.; James Carr Architecture & Design; R. W. Sullivan Engineering; Todd Tsiang Design; Project Management & Cost; Acentech Inc.; Good Harbor Techmark, LLC; Content Design Collaborative LLC
The Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School serves 430 students in an underprivileged sector of New Bedford, Mass. Situated on a 1.6-acre water-adjacent lot, the building has a dense urban context that consists of multifamily houses and historic mill buildings. The facility takes advantage of water views, and its design emulates the city’s maritime history.
The library, rising above the entrance, takes a prominent location at the “bow of the ship.” Subject to salt spray and winds, the exterior is composed of durable brick masonry, aluminum panels, and glass fiber reinforced concrete supported by stainless steel structures. In line with the school’s ship-like exterior, each classroom has a “porthole to the world” that provides views of the water.
Corridors are punctuated by colorful front porches that serve as flexible small-group learning spaces. The third floor features an art classroom and fabrication lab that opens onto a large rooftop classroom, helping foster connections to the local environment. The efficient design maximizes use of the small site to meet the needs of students and staff and provide a safe space that encourages a sense of community connection.
Additional Information
Capacity
430
Cost per Sq Ft
$378.00
Citation
William W. Caudill Citation
Featured in
2019 Architectural Portfolio
Other projects from this professional
Product suppliers specified
AS&U Design Competitions
The ultimate tribute to education design excellence. If selected for publication, this distinctive...
Have an exceptional project that deserves national recognition? Want to show your best work to the...
