DISCOVERING Saugus Middle High School
OVERVIEW Location Saugus, MA
Grades 6-12
Size 271,000 sf
Completed August 2020
Students 1,360
Sustainabilit y LEED Platinum
Sited along bustling Route 1, and near the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, the new Saugus Middle High School supports forward-thinking education and celebrates the town’s rich history of innovation. The new school is structured around three main project goals: establish small-learning communities to promote social and emotional well-being, foster 21st centur y learning through a STE AM-based curriculum, and create a school that embodies the spirit of Saugus.
AN INTEGRATED FACILITY The new facility brings students together in a complex of fabrication labs, collaboration spaces, and project areas. Multi-story wings for the middle and high schools–or “pods”–are bridged by shared common spaces to establish a clear delineation between the schools while benefiting from shared resources.
High School Pod
Gymnasium
Middle School Pods
t. M a in S
Auditorium
Librar y/Media Center
CIRCULATION THAT FLOWS Driven by the Saugus River’s central role in the town’s histor y of industr y, circulation routes in the new school draw inspiration from the path of the river. Beginning at the “main street”, a central thoroughfare through the building, circulation routes weave through the school and branch out to create a distinct separation between academic pods, while connecting shared public spaces.
Circulation in the new school is purposeful yet meanders in places–much like the Saugus River.
“W hen a student walks into the school, their expression says it all… the learning and exploring possibilities are limitless.” M Y R A D. M O N T O, A S S O C I AT E P R I N C I PA L , SAUGUS MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL
DESIGN INSPIRATION Considered the birthplace of the American iron and steel industry, the Saugus Iron Works served as design inspiration for the new facility. The curved form of the multi-story lightwells are derived from the geometry of the blast furnaces that powered the Iron Works, while the angular form of the building’s main entrance wing recalls the accordion-shaped bellows used to power the blast furnaces.
Architectural elements throughout the new facility reference the innovative technology that contributed to the success of the iron and steel industr y.
Iron Works Blast Furnace
Conceptual Sketch of Building Ex terior Bellows
ESTABLISHING IDENTITY Each pod has a unique identity to establish distinct, smaller learning communities, foster a sense of belonging among students and assist in wayfinding throughout the large complex. The color story and accompanying wall graphics for each pod were carefully developed to reflect the particular setting of the industry they represent.
Three academic pods each have unique identities associated with one of Saugus’ historic industries: iron, ice and lobstering.
Iron Works Industry Palette
Ice Industry Palette
Lobster Industry Palette
STEAM-DRIVEN DESIGN The layout of the pods facilitates the project goal of STEAM-based education. Comprised of a central project area surrounded by academic classrooms, fabrication labs and collaboration spaces for hands-on learning, the pods enable students in all grade levels to access state-of-the-art science and design labs at the core of their curriculum. Shared specialty spaces are distributed throughout the facility and include drama classrooms, a robotics lab, broadcast studio, coding & web/graphic design lab, and 3D design & computer-aided design labs. Access to these exploratory learning spaces fosters creativity, immerses students in the latest technologies, and equips them with the necessary skills to pursue higher education and successful careers.
6 7 3 4 1
2 2
1 5
ACADEMIC POD - STEAM L AYOUT 1 Project Areas
2 Science Labs
3 Tech Classroom
4 Ar t Classroom
5 Engineering Classroom
6 Math Classroom
7 Teacher Planning Room
FLEXIBLE WORKSPACES Project areas at the hear t of each pod function as flexible spaces for group collaboration, team teaching, and facilitate chance encounters between peers. Movable glass partitions between science rooms and project areas transform academic spaces from a single classroom into a large open workspace, while a variety of casual seating can be rearranged to accommodate a wide range of learning styles. Monumental lightwells and interior windows allow natural light to permeate deep within the academic spaces, reducing the need for artificial lighting. The transparency establishes visual connections between grade levels and highlights the multi-story supergraphic that characterize each pod.
5 6
3rd Floor
3
4 2nd Floor 1
PROJECT AREA FLEXIBLE L AYOUT 1 Small Group Learning
2
2 Lecture Configuration 3 Collaboration Space 4 Sink & Resource Area 5 Individual Study Space 1st Floor
6 Special Project Space
“The design team and I worked collaboratively with stakeholders and outside exper ts to develop a complex that has a truly studentcentered learning environment. The resulting design is 100% aligned with the District’s Educational Plan while still managing to provide a charming feel that is representative of our community.” M I C H A E L H A S H E M , F O R M E R P R I N C I PA L , SAUGUS MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL
ADAPTABLE COMMON AREAS Shared spaces such as the middle and high school cafeterias can be reconfigured to suit the needs of students and faculty at any given time. Portable technology and flexible furniture allows these open spaces to transform quickly and seamlessly. Tables can be collapsed and rolled into storage to be replaced by folding chairs for large scale audiences and movable walls can create a gallery space to display student work or section off booths for career fairs.
“These spaces can be reenvisioned or repurposed into whatever the pedagogy of education is at that time... you’ ll see a lot of f lexibility here.” K E V I N N I G R O, P M A C O N S U LTA N T S , P R O J E C T M A N A G E R
DYNAMIC GRAPHICS Multi-story graphics in the new school celebrate Saugus’ history and culture by honoring some of the town’s iconic landmarks, industries, and people. Bold colors are interwoven with historic imagery and illustrative elements to create compelling compositions that help students connect with the richness of their community. Each graphic is tailored to reflect the unique identity and educational values of Saugus and enhance the student experience. Their vibrant and engaging presence activates the spaces they occupy and sets the tone for the learning environment at the new Middle High School.
At the middle school entrance, a double-height graphic captures the nostalgia of former Route 1 billboards.
COMMUNITY RESOURCE Students and faculty are not the only beneficiaries of the new school, which welcomes all members of the surrounding community: a state-of-the-art 750-seat theater serves as a resource for outside theater and performance groups; large and small gyms and a new athletic field complex are available to both schools and community spor ts teams. Centrally located along public transit, a bike path, and with charging stations for 6 electric vehicles, the new school is easily accessible for a variety of uses such as community gatherings or adult education.
“This will be a community resource for years and years to come and is something ever ybody in town can be proud of.” SCOT T CR ABTREE, TOWN MANAGER, TOWN OF SAUGUS, MA
“The rooftop classroom is one of my favorite multifaceted spaces. This otherwise unused space has become one of the coveted “go to” spaces. It offers a beautiful view of our town and, along the perimeter, features a perennial succulent green roof that is self-sustaining.” M Y R A D. M O N T O, A S S O C I AT E P R I N C I PA L , S A U G U S M I D D L E H I G H S C H O O L
HOLISTIC SUSTAINABILITY LEED Platinum 26%
Reduction in energy from benchmark
33%
Reduction in energy costs from benchmark
45%
Reduction in annual water consumption
100%
Food waste composting
WATER CONSERVATION The approach to water conservation on the site of the new school has a positive impact on the surrounding ecosystem. A green roof and bioretention systems (rain gardens) throughout the school’s parking lot filter and clean stormwater runoff from the site and provide greater water filtration, while 30,000-gallon underground cisterns collect water for reuse for both flushing and irrigation, reducing the consumption of potable water. Together with the use of low-flow fixtures, these measures reduce the building’s annual consumption of water by 45%.
1.5 MILLION GALLONS of water collected for reuse annually
Rainwater Reuse System
LOW CARBON DESIGN The new facility uses a combined heating and power system also known as tri-generation plant that will help reduce carbon emissions by 49 tons annually, save operating costs and provide backup power.
Transformer
Generating electricity on-site reduces operational carbon emissions and eliminates emissions associated with regional source generation by utilizing waste heat for space heating, domestic hot water heating and space cooling. Continuously running generators improve resiliency by ensuring emergency systems will be operational when they are needed most.
49 TONS of carbon emissions reduced annually
Generators, Air Conditioner and Cooling Towers
Tri-Generation System
“I think this is one of the proudest investments that the Town has made in my lifetime – it shows that the community wants to invest in our children and their education. The community came together as a whole to galvanize and speak in one voice to invest in our community.” SCOT T CR ABTREE, TOWN MANAGER, TOWN OF SAUGUS, MA
PHOTOGRAPHY: Robert Benson Photography
PROJECT TEAM Client Town of Saugus, MA MEP/FP GGD Consulting Engineers, Inc. Landscape Architecture Crosby Schlessinger Smallridge, LLC Structural Engineer Foley Buhl Rober ts & Associates, Inc Civil Engineer Samiotes Consultants, Inc. Construction Manager Suf folk Construction Company OPM PMA Consultants LEED Consultant James Carr architecture + design
HMFH ARCHITECTS Sin c e i t s f o un ding in 19 6 9, HMF H A r c hi te c t s h as established a national reputation for educational design exc ellenc e. With its tradition of design exc ellenc e, HMFH has earned recognition for skillfully integrating informed educational planning and programming with award-winning design to create memorable, innovative learning environments.
www.hmfh.com