Overlook Regional Middle School | Ashburnham, MA

Expansion and Renovation

This two-story, 87,500 square foot regional middle school serves 650 students from the communities of Ashburnham and Westminster, MA.

The main challenge of the project was to design a school that could be built within tight budget constraints, without sacrificing important program elements. The school was built for less than $80/sf foot by using masonry-bearing wall construction, a low ratio of exterior wall to floor area, and numerous energy-efficient systems and materials.

The facility is comprised of two geometrical forms connected by a library/media center and an entry atrium, which forms the symbolic and functional heart of the school. Each grade level is grouped as a team into houses with corresponding classrooms, a science room, a multi-purpose room, a special education resource room, and a teacher's planning room. A shared "instructional house" contains computer and language labs, and designated classrooms for art, home arts, and technology education.

A community wing houses the gymnsiaum, cafeteria, and music room, as well as a team meeting room. The meeting room can accommodate a full grade level for group presentations and lectures. All communal spaces are air-conditioned and zoned for after-hours, year-round community use.