< K-12

L.W. Beecher School

The 1919 school needed to remain as an icon of education for the community. By deciding to demolish a deteriorating addition from the 1960’s, a new addition could be created bringing to life the existing facility. A new light filled atrium links the two sides together and gathers both students and community.

COLLABORATION ART INTEGRATION RESULT

Location

New Haven, CT

Services

Complete Architectural Services, Artwork, Kids Build

Project Size and Type

89,000 s.f.
Renovation / Addition
PreK-8 School

Schedule

Completion: 2007

Collaboration

Working closely with the School Based Building Advisory Committee, the strategy of what to save and what to demolish was quickly established. As a result, the design emerged to develop a new entrance which offered safe parent and student drop off.

Art Integration

Each piece of artwork is designed to be educational: the Cloud mobile is animated by the HVAC system expressing energy use and the playful Gideon piper is made of parts easily recognizable to inspire students to make ones of their own.

Result

The strategic siting of the building into the existing grade and it's compact design yielded one of the most efficient and cost-effective schools in the district. Simultaneously, with it's animated facade and sculpture, it expresses the joy of learning everyday.