Design Summary:

The project proposes a new two-story school on the same town-owned site as the existing Berkley Community School, located in the southerly area so that the proposed school can be built while the existing school continues to operate. Serving Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Four with enrollment of 385 students, the proposed school is 84,620 square feet in total area. The design is inspired by the school’s educational program and the needs of the Berkley community and responds directly to ideas arising from the district and school staff. You can find the Berkley Community School Educational Program here .

Safe and Secure:

Secure entrances with multiple levels of protection and the physical configuration of the school serve to support safety and security. Design for site traffic and circulation separates pedestrians from automobiles, buses, and delivery services providing a safe and secure site throughout the entire day and after hours. The building design includes non-combustible materials, fire alarm, sprinklers, emergency lighting, and emergency exits to address life safety needs and baseline code requirements. Access control systems will be further coordinated and defined with Berkley during schematic design. Courtyards and play spaces are positions on the backside of the school away from South Main Street and offsite traffic.

Resilient and Sustainble:

As the sloping site is a fundamental design consideration, the building and site manage water flow from higher areas to lower, for a resilient longer-lived school. Classrooms predominantly oriented east-west provide enhanced solar efficiency and operational cost savings. Open-air courtyards, large windows, and clerestory lighting reduce reliance on artificial lighting and air conditioning and enhance the learning experience.

Outdoor Learning:

Improved access to outdoor spaces, a stated objective for the school, includes a range of outdoors spaces that support learning and recreation. Exterior south-facing spaces immediately adjacent to the school include a main outdoor learning courtyard and a Pre-K play courtyard. Sports fields and the playground, located at the lower part of the site, are accessible to all, including those with disabilities. Easy access and connectivity between indoor and outdoor spaces in the design, including covered walkways and outdoor courtyards, allow for seamless transitions and incorporate natural elements into the overall learning environment.