Sgt. Jordan Shay Memorial Lower Elementary School

Amesbury, Massachusetts

Firm

DiNisco Design

Client

City of Amesbury

Area

98,200 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$50,300,000

Completion Date

08/2023

Peter Vanderwarker

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Design team
Vivian Low (Principal in Charge); James Shuttleworth (Project Manager); Beneyam Shiferaw; Tom Mueller

The existing 1968 Amesbury Elementary School was undersized and didn’t accommodate modern educational needs; its systems were end of life.

After the school district reconfigured its grade structure to ensure equity, a feasibility study determined that the best location for a new elementary school for grades preK–2 would be adjacent to the city’s other elementary school, serving grades 3–5, to create a unified elementary school campus. The new school incorporates district-wide pre-kindergarten classrooms and special education programs.

The building takes advantage of a sloping site to minimize the appearance of the three-story building within the natural setting. Exterior transparency enables students to feel connected to the natural settings.

Extreme site restrictions resulted in an easy-to-navigate compact floor plan with circulation spaces serving as adaptive teaching areas outside clustered classrooms, and academic spaces that are separated from public areas for greater security.

An interactive feature wall with a historical map and icons that represent aspects of Amesbury’s storied past is a dynamic centerpiece prominently displayed in the school’s lobby.

Additional Information

Capacity

470

Cost per Sq Ft

$512.00

Featured in

2024 Architectural Portfolio

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Product suppliers specified

Carpet by Interface

Flooring by Forbo Flooring Systems

Physical-Education Flooring by Horner Flooring

Brick/Masonry by Yankee Hill Brick & Tile

Brick/Masonry by Jandris

Ceilings by Armstrong World Industries

Ceramic Tile by Dal-Tile

Door Hardware by National Guard Products

Door Hardware by Architectural Builders Hardware (ABH)

Door Hardware by Allegion

Door Hardware by Pemko

Doors by VT Industries

Doors by EFCO

Elevators by Otis Elevator

Insulation by Rmax, Inc.

Paint/Wallcoverings by Sherwin-Williams

Plumbing by Jay R Smith

Plumbing by Viking Corp.

Plumbing by Charlotte Pipe & Foundry

Plumbing by Bell & Gossett

Roofing by Sarnafil

Windows by EFCO

Lighting & Accessories by Lithonia Lighting

Lighting & Accessories by Lumenwerx

Lighting & Accessories by Coronet

Lighting & Accessories by Delray Lighting

Lighting & Accessories by Mark Architectural Lighting

Lighting & Accessories by Gotham Lighting

Lighting & Accessories by PMC Lighting

Lighting & Accessories by Eureka

Emergency Lighting by Lithonia Lighting

Drinking Fountains by Halsey Taylor

Washroom Accessories by Bradley Corporation

Washroom Accessories by Bobrick

Washroom Accessories by American Specialties

Washroom Fixtures by American Standard

Washroom Fixtures by TOTO

Washroom/Shower Partitions by Scranton Products

Athletic Equipment by Jay Pro

Athletic Equipment by Everlast

Bleachers/Grandstands by Interkal

Playground Equipment by BSNSports

Scoreboards/Clocks by Nevco Scoreboard

HVAC Units by Haakon Industries

HVAC Units by Daikin

HVAC Units by Dadanco

HVAC Units by Mitsubishi

HVAC Units by Price

HVAC Units by Bell & Gossett

Draperies/Blinds by Walker Specialties

Kitchen Equipment by Edlund

Kitchen Equipment by Hobart

Kitchen Equipment by Advanced Tabco

Kitchen Equipment by Vulcan-Hart

Kitchen Equipment by Groen

Kitchen Equipment by Market Forge

Kitchen Equipment by Blodgett

Kitchen Equipment by Ansul Fire Protection

Kitchen Equipment by Metro

Kitchen Equipment by Champion

Kitchen Equipment by Continental

Kitchen Equipment by Atlas

Kitchen Equipment by Piper Products

Kitchen Equipment by Beverage Air

Whiteboards / Markerboards / Chalkboards by Claridge

Signage by Intelligent Signage

Benches/Site Furnishings by Wausau Tile

Bicycle Racks by Forms + Surfaces

Brick/Masonry by Sika Sarnafil

Brick/Masonry by Scofield

Playground Equipment by Surface America

Playground Equipment by Landscape Structures

Waste Receptacles by Forms + Surfaces

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