Envisioned as a place for students to build relationships with each other and their community, South Shore K-8 School brings a broader social picture to one unified campus. Attached to the community center and located on a larger community-use campus, the school maintains strong communal roots, while the school's cylindrical center symbolizes inclusiveness and encourages internal social connections. This cohesive culture brings students and community members together as allies in academic achievement.

BLRB's emphasis on community collaboration enabled the District and a 30-member school design team to literally shape the campus design. Through an all-day design charette, design team members rearranged room-shaped puzzle pieces to create a conceptual design of the school, ultimately leading to a final architectural floor plan that everyone could be excited about.

The design concept of the school centers on a two-and-a-half story high, drum-shaped student commons area. Its circular shape, symbolizing community and inclusiveness, provides a unique space for connection and unification of students. High clerestory windows enable ample daylighting, while retractable glass doors link the space directly to the outdoor plaza.

Student-centered and personalized learning is evidenced through BLRB's design of seven distinct small learning communities. Each classroom has a unique identity but maintains a connection with the commons area and a classroom pod that includes a team area, tutor space and patio to connect learning with the outdoors. Wings and floors are arranged to correspond with the rising grade levels so as students move up in grades they move up in the building, signifying the rise to the top before matriculation to high school.

Working in collaboration with the district and community, relevant sustainable design strategies were developed. Sustainable features include green roofs, rainwater harvesting, optimizing daylight in all occupied spaces, displacement ventilation system to enhance indoor air quality, and use of non-toxic, recycled-content building materials and finishes.

Grades K-8
1,000 student
138,705 SF
Construction Est.: $39,000,000
Estimated Completion: 2009