Spencer Borden Elementary School (Work in Progress)

Fall River, Massachusetts

Firm

Mount Vernon Group Architects

Client

City of Fall River

Area

92,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$13,235,000

Completion Date

10/2002

Spencer Borden Elementary School is designed to fit comfortably with its neighbors. The materials used incorporate new technologies, yet are in keeping with the fabric of older buildings throughout the city.

The new school will be at the rear of a site behind the existing Spencer Borden School, which will remain open during construction. Upon completion of the new school, students will be moved. The existing school will be demolished to provide space for recreation areas in the new front yard. There are three ways to get to the school: a main vehicular access drive with bus turnaround and large parking area; a kindergarten dropoff drive and small parking area off Chestnut Street; and a service road shared with Durfee High School at the rear of the site.

The school is organized into three wings: a two-story academic wing, a one-story kindergarten wing and a one-story community wing.

The academic wing includes classroom space for grades 1 to 5, administrative offices on the lower level, and library/media center and computer room on the upper floor. The library features technology with expandable infrastructure capable of providing Internet access to networked computers in every classroom.

The community wing provides the security and accessibility required for community use.