Neighborhood bay windows reaching outward

Small scale variegated facade in dialogue with the surrounding residential neighborhood

Welcoming hand entrance

Scientific glass transforms with the light

Glazed science classrooms as the central theme

Light-filled learning commons

Alighting stair

Beehive section of academic activity

Breaking down the scale: the cohort center

Flexible services STEM science exploratory

Glazed teacher offices & occupied corridors

Vertical connections

Collaboration balconies poised for learning

‘World Window’ teaching alcove

Sample Description

Boston's new school is among the first purpose-built STEM schools in the nation

Dearborn STEM Academy

City of Boston, Boston, MA

A major City initiative towards an improved future for the residents of Roxbury, this new neighborhood public middle/high school represents a new kind of educational building – a school without corridors that fosters inter-relatedness and transparency. The fabric of the STEM educational environment includes spaces for small-scale learning, collaboration, hybrid learning, project-based explorations and community engagement. The building is broken down into three educational communities or ‘cohorts.’ Each is sited on a different level and is centered on a satellite collaboration space, glass walled science exploratories and an office suite with dean’s office, staff preparation and reception area.

Size: 128,000 gsf

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgwXdF20XTI&t=8s

Recognition

2022 The American Architecture Award Winner The Chicago Athenaeum
2022 MacConnell Award (Finalist) National Association for Learning Environments
2020 Harleston Parker Medal City of Boston/AIA/Boston Society for Architecture
2020 Award of Honor AIA/Boston Society for Architecture
2019 Award for Design Excellence City of Boston/AIA/Boston Society for Architecture