Franklin Elementary School
The new net-zero ready Franklin Elementary School is a whimsical, child-scaled learning environment and a showcase for accessible design principles. A direct outcome of HMFH’s educational master plan for Newton Public Schools, the design prioritizes equitable education across the district.
Newton, MA
70,000 sf
K-5
396
40 geothermal wells
The neighborhood school’s two wings, one home to shared programs and the other to academics, embrace a central playscape, welcoming students, teachers, and visitors alike. Thoughtfully developed with universal design principles, the landscape, play area, and school are fully accessible, ensuring an inclusive learning community for all students.
Conceptual sketch illustrating how the school’s massing creates an open and inviting entry sequence
“Our vision for Franklin was a school students could truly call their own—a place that’s welcoming, inclusive, and gets kids excited to come and learn each day.”
Melissa Greene | Senior Associate, HMFH Architects
The exterior design features phenolic paneling and thoughtfully placed curtain walls that contrast the classic brick façade, highlighting key spaces like the media center. Playful blue accents around windows and in the falcon figure at the entrance signal an inviting, child-centric learning environment.
Students enter a light-filled lobby characterized by its biophilic design, featuring whimsical elements from environmental graphics to nature-inspired flooring and tile patterns. Geometric wooden portals mark the entrances to shared spaces including the gymnasium, music room, and a cafetorium, which are easily accessible from the lobby.
Comprised of light-filled classrooms, project areas, and an integrated, district-wide special education program, the academic wing features playful forms and furnishings while maintaining clear sightlines for supervision. Three floors are organized by grade level, each with a distinct theme inspired by the school’s falcon mascot and reinforced by custom graphics to instill a sense of place and belonging. Project areas in corridors function as a hub for each grade-level community, offering breakout space for lessons outside the classroom, small group work, or individual instruction.
Thoughtfully designed for young students, Franklin Elementary features child-scaled elements, from cubbies to cozy reading nooks
