Page 28 - School Planning & Management, June 2019

EDUCATION DESIGN SHOWCASE • HIGH SCHOOL
PROJECT OF DISTINCTION
ON THE SITE OF Cathedral High School, which was destroyed in a tornado in 2011, the new Pope Francis Preparatory School unites the former school with its neighbor, Holyoke Catholic High School, to introduce
a dynamic and connected 21st-century learning com- munity. Strategic program organization, innovative use of materials, and thoughtful architectural cues establish a new learning environment for 450 students which chal- lenges traditional pedago- gies and fosters experiential and collaborative STEAM learning.
The core spaces of Pope Francis embody key values of the school’s two long- established predecessors, facilitating cultural activ-
ity and social connection through an open plan and network of community spaces. Classrooms reflect
a pedagogy challenging the notion of individual “owned” classrooms, instead offering open, flexible spaces and integrating shared faculty workspaces in the heart of student activity. A civic stair at the core of the Learning Commons anchors the free flow of interdisciplinary academic experiences and provides a place to congre- gate and connect, immers- ing students in the history of each institution.
At the public entrance, the school presents an in- novative alternative to the traditional brick material prevalent in school design. The transparency and open architecture of the student/ faculty entrance creates a welcoming entry into the heart of the community.
POPE FRANCIS
PREPARATORY SCHOOL
POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL BOSTON, MASS.
ARCHITECT
CBT
PAUL VICCICA 617/646-5293
PROJECT INFORMATION
CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR
Dr. Paul Harington, Superintendent
COMPLETION DATE
September 2018
GROSS AREA
117,000 sq. ft.
AREA PER STUDENT
195 sq. ft.
SITE SIZE
24.5 acres
CURRENT ENROLLMENT
410
CAPACITY
600
COST PER STUDENT
$75,000
COST PER SQ. FT.
$410
TOTAL COST
$48,000,000
JUDGES’ COMMENTS
Very nice interior design. Impressive window treatments. Good natural lighting. Good transparency. Use of stairwell in common area is a nice touch.
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2019 EDUCATION DESIGN SHOWCASE