HMFH Architects
Mary E. Baker & Manthala George, Jr. Schools
- Grades PK-5
- Students 1,700
- Size 230,000 ft2
With funding through the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s Green Schools Program the Mary E. Baker School includes a 40 kW photovoltaic array, a portion of which is visible from the cafeteria to educate students.
These two elementary schools, which opened for the 2008-09 school years, completed Brockton’s elementary school construction program, increasing capacity and providing equity across districts. Each 850-student, PK-5 school are organized around identical programs and share the same floor plan.
The simple plan is organized around grade-level groups and flexible shared spaces for performance, assemblies and athletics. Bright, playful colors and patterns, unexpected window connections between adjacent spaces, and exposed ductwork actively engage students in their surroundings. Both schools feature skylights and daylight dimming systems and the use of recycled construction materials.
