Media Center and Administration Pavilions framing the Main Entrance

Outdoor learning enclosed by academic wings and Main Stair Portico

Classroom with picture window and side reflecting wall

The main stair portico with exterior gathering space bleachers

Kindergarten school yard and classrooms

Main stair with interior gathering space bleachers

Sample Description

An Incubator for Collaborative Learning

Elizabeth Baldwin School

City of Pawtucket, Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Jonathan Levi Architects, Design Architect, Co-production Architect
with
Torrado Architects, Lead Architect

The new 840 student Elizabeth Baldwin Elementary School provides a new kind of PK-5 school experience, emphasizing the proven value of spontaneous interaction, mutual inspiration, and student-centered initiative over mono-directional instruction. The design is carefully crafted with small-scale learning communities for both students and staff to facilitate collaborative learning, collaborative teaching, visible learning, flexible learning, and community engagement. A kind of ‘learning’ rather than ‘teaching’ based education which will characterize the hybrid virtual/physical learning communities of the future and of which the designs for the new Baldwin are a prudent forerunner and model.

Size: 94,000 gsf
Completion 8/25

A highly efficient site plan yields a new corner park open space for the community while preserving dedicated and safely enclosed outdoor learning and play areas for each age group

Correctly oriented classroom wings harvest daylight and reduce operating costs

The high ceilinged Media Center opening towards and on display to the new corner park

The small learning community concept - each grade cohort with its own wing and floor

Breaking the traditional school box to enhance learning community

Level 1 floor plan

Level 2 floor plan