Colegrove Park Elementary School

North Adams, MA | 2016

Colegrove Park Elementary School is a cultural and architectural landmark in the heart of North Adams, MA. Built in 1916 as Drury High School, the LEED GOLD renovation demonstrates the environmental value of investing in historic school buildings. Overlooking downtown, the re-design transformed the classical high school layout into a spacious elementary and middle school with classrooms larger than 900 sf and breakout rooms at each grade level. The 77,100 gsf project salvaged masonry walls, stairwells, wood and terrazzo floors, and historic details while adding a new accessible entry and elevator core and a new roof. Introducing high performance operable windows, light shelves and solar shades returned fresh air and daylight back to the school. Predictive modelling and thermal mass studies during design confirmed the cost effectiveness of these and other strategies. A new HVAC system includes energy recovery ventilation with a glycol loop for limited cooling throughout the building, VRF heating and cooling in classrooms and supplemental hydronic heat to exterior walls and vestibules.

Area: 2016 WMAIA Design Award, 2016 Massachusetts Historic Commission Preservation Award, 2016 Learning by Design Honorable Mention

Area: 77,100 sf
Type: K12 Education
Certification: LEED Gold