October 2021
7
Up-Front
Construction Begins at Brookline School
Robert J. Verrier Passes Away Boston – The Architectural Team (TAT) announced that founder and architect Robert J. Verrier, FAIA, NCARB died on Aug. 24 at age 81. According to the firm, Verrier will be remembered for his pioneering work in historic preservation and adaptive reuse. He made an impact in reviving dozens of mill buildings, schools, and wharf structures for new life as housing and other community assets. A fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Verrier is also remembered for his support of community and charitable groups, his devotion to family, and his mentorship of young architects.
From Gilbane Building Company (l-r): Colleen Shouldice, senior project engineer; Bob Braga, superintendent; Mike O’Brien, SVP/ Massachusetts business unit leader; Lynda Callahan, senior project manager; Andrew Prochniak, operations manager; Derek Ullman, project manager; and Walt Kincaid, project executive, SVP/New England division leader
Robert J. Verrier
GLCPS Breaks Ground on STEAM Center
Brookline, MA – On Sept. 13, officials from the Public Schools of Brookline, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Town of Brookline joined students, alumni, families, educators, neighbors, and representatives from Leftfield, Jonathan Levi Architects, and Gilbane Building Company to celebrate the official groundbreaking of the 155,000sf Michael Driscoll Elementary School in Brookline. The new facility will address concerns regarding a growing student population within the district, accommodating nearly 800 students in grades pre-kindergarten through eighth. Designed by Jonathan Levi Architects, the school will include several signature architectural features including extensive curtain wall and an interior multi-story atrium with monumental stair.
Sustainable features include photovoltaic roof arrays and a geothermal system. “I believe our mandate is to provide creative, joyful, whole child public education for our diverse community of learners,” said Susan Wolf Ditkoff, building project co-chair and elected school committee member. “This new plan actually increases our outdoor greenspace while adding new arts, science, and maker spaces and improving our carbon footprint through an entirely fossil-fuel free system and a cycling/ pedestrian/transit friendly design.” The Michael Driscoll Elementary School is slated for completion by the fall of 2023, followed by demolition of the existing school and construction of new playfields to be completed by May 2024.
(l-r) Lena Pires, GLCPS principal; Tim Nicolette; John Vasconcellos, South Coast Community Foundation president; Dr. Stephen Furtado; Natalie Teixeira, GLCPS 10th grade student; Amey Bissonnnette, GLCPS director of development; Chief Paul Oliveira, New Bedford Police Department; Rick Kidder, One Southcoast Chamber of Commerce president; Ian Abreu; Antonio Cabral; Audra Riding; Emily Grandstaff-Rice, Arrowstreet senior associate; and Larry Spang, Arrowstreet principal
New Bedford, MA – Global Learning Charter Public School (GLCPS) recently broke ground on the renovation of a historic building located at 106 Bullard Street in New Bedford, creating “One School, One Campus.” In launching the $8.5 million renovation project, Dr. Stephen Furtado, executive director of GLCPA, announced the donation of $2 million from Joan and Irwin Jacobs. The new building will be named the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Center for STEAM Education. The capital campaign has now raised more than $7 million towards its goal. Furtado welcomed State Representative Antonio Cabral; Audra Riding, general counsel and legislative director of State Senator Mark Montigny; City Counselor Ian Abreu; Tim Nicolette, executive director of MA Charter Public School Association; business leaders, donors, families and students to the event. Officials applauded the project for reinvesting in the North End neighborhood
and bringing a building in disrepair back to life. Abreu noted that the investment in youth and the future workforce is vital to the future of the city of New Bedford. The One School, One Campus project will lead to the rehabilitation of a 3 -story, 18,132sf building for GLCPS students, staff and community members. This project will allow GLCPS to reallocate classroom space and offer students an education experience that remains rich in technology and on the leading edge of education innovation. The expanded classroom space will feature science labs, dedicated art and music space, foreign language classrooms, multi-use classrooms and teacher and community collaboration space. The renovation will also include necessary upgrades to bring the building up to code. GLCPS will be able to achieve the expanded campus with the support of the local community, individual donors and private foundations. The project is anticipated to be completed in a year.
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