Rose
Kennedy Middle School Thesis 2018 Bri Dazio
TaBle
of
conTenTs
Concept Statement
page 5
Research
page 6
STEAM Education
page 6
WELL Building Standard
page 7
Base Building and Site Analysis
page 8
User Needs
page 10
Diagrams
page 11
Adjacency Matrix
page 11
Bubble Diagrams
page 12
Greenway Inspiration
page 14
Block Diagrams
page 18
FF&E
page 20 Materials Selection
page 20
Furniture Selection
page 21
Floor Plans
page 23
Front Entrance
page 26
School Brand
page 28
Maker Spaces
page 30
Gymnasium + Auditorium
page 32
Atrium Community
page 34
Community Work Spaces
page 36
School Cafeteria
page 38
Faculty Spaces
page 40
Classrooms
page 42
Community Lounges
page 44
Green Roof
page 46
Thank You
page 48
Concept Statement Rose Kennedy Middle School is more than a place to learn. It’s a place for students to grow, to explore, and to build community. The design for RKMS pulls inspiration from the surrounding area of Boston, specifically the Rose Kennedy Greenway. The Greenway is a series of parks that connect the downtown city with the harbor. Echoing this idea, students create their own path and identity through their education. Through ways such as learning in traditional classrooms, to hands-on maker spaces, to the ability to connect with one another and nature, students explore the possibilities around them in this STEAM school. While RKMS is a three-story middle school, the different wings house different needs and become neighborhoods. Each unique, they incorporate elements from the Greenway, to give a sense of place. Areas for learning utilize wooden elements, reminiscent of the North End Park pergola. In contrast, areas that involve creation incorporate colorful gateways, similar to the one at the Chinatown Park. Areas for sharing and building community bring in nature, through plants native to Massachusetts. These community spaces wind through the center, acting as a path to guide users through the building. Learning extends beyond the walls. A patio on the first floor serves as an outdoor classroom. The cafeteria has a deck for outdoor seating. A green roof is a living laboratory, where students can learn first-hand. Reconfigurable classrooms, technology-filled labs, community spaces, and outdoor learning environments combine to let students have countless opportunities to find their own path at Rose Kennedy Middle School.
Elements of STEAM Education:
“Science and Technology, interpreted through Engineering and the Arts, based in Math�
Science
Technology
Arts
Mathematics
the
Engineering
Top Considerations in Educational Design: Maker Spaces: encourage collaboration to simulate real world environments through stateof-the-art equipment and facilities
Maker Spaces
Daylight
Choices
Security
Community
Technology
Daylight: provide access to views and daylight throughout the building to promote productivity and wellbeing Choices: give students, faculty, and staff choices to offer more ownership of the space Security: incorporate security at exterior entrances and classroom doors per request by both teachers and parents Community: encourage interaction through the physical environment to foster a sense of community and belonging Technology: integrate technology to aid in the learning and teaching process
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Elements of the WELL Building Standard: Air
Water
Nourishment
Light
Fitness
Comfort
Mind
Going for {WELL} Gold: Air: Include entryway walk-off mats and create an air seal Select finishes to meet sustainability certifications Water: Locate water dispensers within 100 feet for easy access Ensure water is clean and healthy for consumption Nourishment: Offer variety of seating choices in cafeteria Provide access to fruits and vegetables on menu Light: Provide workstations within window with exterior views Fitness: Include a physical activity facility on-site Include age-appropriate fitness equipment Comfort: Comply with ADA Standards for accessible design Mind: Incorporate biophilic design elements in the interior Create designated quiet spaces for focus and relaxation 7
580 Commercial Street
Site Amenities: 1 Sidewalk 2 Parking 3 Bike Racks 4 Front Entrance 5 Courtyard 6 Open Field 7 Turf Football Field 8 Baseball Field 9 Soccer Field
Learning occurs not only in the classroom, but also outside as well. The grounds surrounding the middle school offer amenities to allow for activities, sports, and learning opportunities.
The building’s orientation is set to maximize daylight, a vital aspect to learning and productivity. By facing North, the site has optimal access to sunlight through exterior glazing.
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2D Zoning Study
The building’s geometry lends itself to the idea of different wings to house different needs. Further, a central path for the community spaces relates back to the Greenway, as way to guide users through the space.
3D Zoning Study
While the building receives natural light from all sides due to glazing, a central atrium with a skylight will serve as the heart of the space and bring even more natural light in.
Initial 3D Diagrams
With the atrium serving as a core for the community space, learning stairs will be both functional, as well as an aesthetic way to connect people. Floating classrooms above the atrium will encourage students to observe their peers working around them.
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Students
What do students want? •More opportunities for hands-on learning, in comparison to lectures •Spaces to “hang out” at during free periods and lunch •Opportunities to work outside on nice days •More comfortable and a wider variety of seating options
What does the faculty and staff want? •Spaces to prepare for the upcoming day of classes •A breakout space for both individual relaxation and collaboration •Ergonomic furniture to support long days of sitting, balanced with durable, comfortable flooring for long days spent standing
Teachers
Community
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What do the parents and community want? •Opportunities to engage with the students during the school day through workshops and guest lectures •Security to help maintain safety, but not too much as to worry students •Facilities that can be accessed after hours for public events
Adjacency Matrix
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Bubble Diagram
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Bubble Diagrams
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Rose Kennedy Greenway
With Boston known as “the city of neighborhoods,� the Rose Kennedy Greenway parks span from Chinatown all the way to the North End. Each park has features unique to the neighborhood, while still working as part of a cohesive overall design.
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While the parks all include unique features, they all bring the community of Boston closer together, by providing spaces for people to interact with each other and nature.
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Rose Kennedy Greenway Diagram:
Unique Park Features:
Chinatown Park 16
Dewey Square
Fort Point Channel
Wharf District Park
Armenian Heritage Park
North End Park 17
Block Diagrams
First Floor
Second Floor
Third Floor
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Block Diagrams
First Floor
Second Floor
Third Floor
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MaTerial selecTion
Inspired by the colors on the landscape of the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the cool, yet vibrant color palette creates a fun environment
faBrics •Patterns inspired by nature allude to biophilic design •Primary color palette matches RKMS branding •Secondary color palette adds sense of fun •Neutrals balance the vibrant colors •Crypton fabrics ensure easy cleaning Designtex: Net, Topiary
Steelcase:
Chrome, Pool
Designtex:
Designtex:
Rainwater, Fennel
Delaine, Peppercorn
Designtex:
Bernhardt:
Delaine, Lemonade
Focus, Silver
flooring •Resilient flooring in the gymnasium alleviates stress on athletes •Carpet used for acoustical properties •Outdoor pavement recycled from old tires helps with drainage •Sustainable flooring materials use locally sourced products •Polished concrete floors allow for easy cleaning Resilient Sports: Resilient Sports: Mondo, Rubber Gym
Outdoor Paving: Flexipave, Golden
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Carpet:
Mondo, Wood Gym
Shaw, Turntile
Wood Floor:
Concrete Floor:
Locally sourced Oak
Polished Concrete
furniTure selecTion
The furniture in RKMS is not only functional for teachers and students but also provides ergonomic comfort and the capability for reconfiguration.
seaTing •Variety of furniture based on needs, ranging from task to lounge •Light-weight furniture on casters allows ability to reconfigure •Poly seats allow for ease of cleaning
KI:
Strive Nesting Chair
High Tower: Tombolo Sofa
Haworth:
Fern Task Stool
KI:
Strive Cafe Chair
Haworth:
Poppy Lounge Chair
Steelcase:
Mediascape Lounge
TaBles •Height adjustable tables support variety of needs •Furniture on casters allow for reconfiguration •Table depth based on function, ranging from student to art desks
Teknion:
Thesis Flip Top
Steelcase:
Mediascape Kiosk
Haworth:
Steelcase:
Planes Height Adjust
Campfire Table
Teknion:
Smith System:
Cavu Cafe Table
Art Tables
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firsT floor
The first floor includes spaces that can easily be accessed by community members, whether they be visiting to provide guest lectures or to attend an event. One wing includes the maker spaces, while the gymnasium/stage area is in the other wing.
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Administrative Classrooms Community
Extracurriculars Maker Spaces Outdoors
1. Security Vestibule 2. Front Office 3. Guidance Office 4. Nurse’s Office 5. Learning Stairs 6. Music Department 7. Locker Rooms 8. Fitness Center 9. Gymnasium 10. Stage Area 11. Outdoor Courtyard
12. Critique Area 13. Work Area 14. Lecture Classroom 15. Robotics Lab 16. Faculty Lounge 17. Photo Studio 18. Wood Shop 19. Work Display 20. 3D Print Lab 21. Art Studio
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seconD floor
The second floor also includes community spaces. However, these community spaces are predominantly for the students. A media center, broadcast studio, and Virtual Reality lab continue the theme of maker spaces. The cafeteria extends from the interior to the exterior, to allow for outdoor dining.
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Administrative Classrooms Community
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1. Atrium 2. Collaboration Spaces 3. Lounge 4. Virtual Reality Lab 5. Broadcast Studio 6. Media Center 7. Cafeteria 8. Servery 9. Kitchen 10. Faculty Dining 11. Outdoor Dining
Extracurriculars Maker Spaces Outdoors
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ThirD floor
The third floor of RKMS includes classrooms, group and individual working stations, and lounges. The floor is split into two wings based on grade level- 7th graders on the left wing, while 8th graders are located on the right.
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Administrative Classrooms Community 1. Atrium 2. Common Lounge 3. 7th Grade Gaming 4. Classrooms 5. Faculty Offices 6. Science Classroom 7. Science Lab 8. 7th Grade Lounge 9. Faculty Lounge 10. Special Education 11. 7th Grade Group work
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Extracurriculars Maker Spaces Outdoors
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12. 8th Grade Lounge 13. 8th Grade Group work 14. 8th Grade Gaming
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Front
Entrance
Even from the front entrance, RKMS presents a welcoming atmosphere. The exterior brick is a nod to traditional Boston architecture, while the vast amounts of glazing bring the school into the 21st century, while also allowing for daylight to filter in.
Front Entrance Perspective
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Plants Native to Massachusetts: Bluebell Bellflower
Flowering Dogwood
Great Blue Lobelia
American Elm Tree
Paper Birch Tree
Arrow Wood Shrub
Benefits of Biophilic Design In Schools: Enhanced creativity Improved cognitive functioning Enriched clarity of thought Reduced boredom, stress, and aggression Awareness of the world around Promote sense of community Better performance: Improved attendance, by 3.5 days per year Increased speed of learning, by 20-26% Improved test scores, by 5-14% 27
School Brand
An important aspect to RKMS is a sense of school pride. The tagline “{Find} your path” serves as a foundation for the brand and exemplifies the personality of the school and its students. By using the brackets, the tagline has the flexibility to be customized to direct a certain message, such as “{Make} your path”. Further, the bracket shape comes from the negative space created by the RK stacked in the school logo. This bracket evolves into an arrow, as students move forward to truly find their own path.
Entrance Graphic
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School Logo
Visual Graphics
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Maker Spaces
Located on the first floor to allow visitors easy access, the maker spaces offer students, teachers, and the community a variety of options to create and make. Each equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the maker spaces encourage experimentation.
Maker Space Wood Shop Perspective
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mAkEr spAcEs: roBoTics laB
arT sTuDio
BroaDcasT sTuDio
phoTo sTuDio
VirTual realiTy
3D prinTing laB
pin-up spAcEs: Pin-up spaces allow for student work to be on display and encourages collaboration. Custom portals frame the pin-up work, as inspired by the gateway entrance to the Chinatown Park on the Greenway. Custom Pin-Up Spaces Axon
Cork board panels encourage students to pin up their work for others to easily see.
Custom pedestals, inspired by signage on the Greenway, allow for the display of 3D models. Track lighting emphasizes the work on display.
Custom Pin-Up Spaces Elevation
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gyMnasiuM + auDiToriuM
A two-story gymnasium and stage area allows for extracurricular activities, such as sports and performances. Located on the first floor, the community can easily access the space after hours, while glazing on the second floor allows students to observe activities in the space during the school day.
Gymnasium Branding
Gymnasium Perspective
The gymnasium and stage area not only promote extracurricular activities, but also a sense of school pride. As the “Home of the Trail Blazers� sports teams, Rose Kennedy students are well-rounded individuals, excelling in both academics and athletics. The gymnasium includes a full, regulation-sized youth basketball court. A stage area sits at the end, with dressing rooms and a back stage area located on the sides. The bleachers unfold from the wall, providing a place for visitors to watch both sports and stage performances. A storage area around the corner holds additional seating, in the event the gymnasium floor needs additional seats.
School Spirit Wear
The grounds surrounding the school also support these extracurriculars and athletics- with a turf football field, baseball/softball field, soccer field, and outdoor track accessible on site. 33
Atrium
Community
Serving as the heart of the school, the atrium not only connects the two wings, but also the different floors. Learning stairs foster community and allow for informal interaction. These learning stairs also include tables and chairs and a writable surface. Tucked behind, a ramp allows people of all abilities to utilize the stairs as the gathering space they are meant to be. Plants indigenous to Massachusetts bring nature indoors as well.
Atrium Perspective
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aTriuM axon
learning sTairs
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Community Work Spaces
While the classrooms within RKMS are reconfigurable, central community spaces in the hallway allows teachers and students the flexibility to work beyond the classroom walls. These spaces can be utilized for both group and individual work.
Community Work Space Perspective
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community Work spAcEs: WalKing DesK
phone BooTh- lounge
phone BooTh- DesK
ViDeo conferencing
7Th graDe gaMing laB
8Th graDe gaMing laB
hAllWAy nooks:
Glazing allows teachers to keep an eye on students and maintain supervision over group work. Benches tucked into nooks allows a place for students to wait during class changes.
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School Cafeteria
The school cafeteria is not only a place for students to eat lunch, but also an opportunity to learn about the importance of a healthy diet. A variety of seating options gives students the flexibility to choose. The cafeteria extends from the interior to an exterior dining patio. The rooftop garden provides the cafeteria with fresh vegetables, which are featured on a menu board near the servery.
Outdoor Dining Perspective
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inDoor anD ouTDoor Dining
serVery
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Faculty Spaces
An important aspect of RKMS is the strong support that the faculty members give the students. At the same time, the design of the space supports the faculty members themselves. Through shared offices, lounges, and a separate dining room, the faculty and staff have spaces to themselves to not only get work done, but also to relax and collaborate with one another.
Faculty Lounge Perspective
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faculTy offices
faculTy Dining
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Classroom Design
Through the use of mobile furniture on casters, the classrooms are easily reconfigured. This allows both teachers and students to utilize the space according to their needs. Teacher desks and ergonomic chairs are height adjustable, to allow for comfort through the school day. In addition, science classrooms extend beyond the lecture setting into a laboratory to allow for hands-on experiments.
Lecture Classroom Perspective
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clAssroom rEconfigurAtions: special eDucaTion
Discussion
group WorK
lecTure
science classrooM
science laBoraTory
sciEncE clAssroom And lABorAtory:
Science Classroom Perspective
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Community Lounges
While the two grades have separate spaces, a community lounge towards the front of the school connects the two wings. Here, the 7th and 8th graders can interact and collaborate.
Shared Community Lounge Perspective
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Community Lockers Elevation
On the third floor, both grade levels have their own lounge and collaboration spaces. In all community spaces, plants native to Massachusetts are included in order to introduce greenery and the outdoors in.
7th Grade Community Space
8th Grade Community Space
Though the furniture selection is similar, the different arrangements characterize the different spaces. These different arrangements allow for multiple types of work. Lounge pieces encourage informal collaboration, while desks with built-in technology encourage presentations. Further, a variety of furniture heights allow for a palette of posture. In order to maximize community space, student lockers are located towards the back of each grade level’s respective wing. Stacking only two lockers high, the lockers become a working counter top.
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green roof
The green roof serves as a living laboratory. It not only has sustainability benefits, but also allows for first-hand learning. The roof is split into two sides- one is for learning and features two gathering areas for outdoor classes to take place. The other includes a green house and planting beds. Vegetables and fruit are grown for use in the cafeteria. While separate, students have access to both areas to discover the world around them.
GREENHOUSE GARDEN
CAFETERIA FOOD GARDEN PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS
GREEN ROOF PLANTINGS
GATHERING AREA STORAGE
Green Roof Axon
Roof Signage
Rooftop Classroom Perspective
The green roof not only promotes learning, but also incorporates sustainable design into RKMS.
Rooftop Planting Beds Perspective
Roof-mounted solar panels
Green roof
Native plantings
LED lighting
Ideal solar orientation
Daylight throughout interior
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Thank You A designer’s work is never just their own- it is a compilation of the support, love, and encouragement from everyone around them. Thesis would not have been possible without my family and friends, and for that, I cannot truly thank them enough. To Mom, Dad, and Steff- thank you for encouraging me when I was frustrated, for loving me unconditionally despite the many times I answered the phone with, “I can’t talk now, I’m working on studio,” and for always supporting my dreams. To Ally, Corrie, and Reem- thank you for always being there to laugh at the little things during those late nights. To the CCCA family- thank you for inspiring me to pursue educational design and always answering my many questions. To Sami, Elissa, and Jenna- thank you for being supportive friends even if I used the excuse, “I can’t, I have studio” often. To Kelly- thank you for coming to visit me purely to hang out and always being impressed with whatever was on my screen. To Sean- thank you for reminding me to always take a step back and be proud of my accomplishments. To Zach, Joey, and Kamran- thank you for always checking up on me and reminding me of my passion for design. To Dave- thank you for reminding me to “think big anyway.” To Mary- thank you for listening to my many rants and always reminding me to look for the positives. Thank you all.
-BD