Sizer School – A North Central Charter Essential School, New Facility at 500 Ringe Road
Fitchburg, Massachusetts
The Sizer Charter school needed a permanent facility to meet its educational goals. The developer and designer came together at the beginning of the process to form a collaborative design and costing effort. Choosing a site within an urban setting limited the available options and area. A former industrial site was cleaned and improved, and a stream was rerouted to yield a buildable area of a little more than three acres.
The site constraints led to a three-story building, which suited the grade 7-to-12 groupings. The classroom wing was situated along an east-west axis; solar shades on the south façade provide ample, diffuse light and reduce glare. The lobby stair serves as a place to congregate.
Directly across from the main entry is the “heart” of the school, the library. It is designed with a café-style area and a view of the lobby to encourage social interaction and group work. A traditional library area that overlooks a serene view of the woods is situated in the back.
Additional Information
Capacity
400
Cost per Sq Ft
$264.00
Featured in
2015 Architectural Portfolio
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