Martin Luther King, Jr. School Project
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School houses three schools on one campus: the Putnam Avenue Upper School (PAUS), Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School, and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Preschool. The project was complicated by its small and irregular site; the large and complex program accommodating 840 children from preschool to 8th grade; robust after school programs; and an array of engaged stakeholders.
The design goal for the school was to synthesize the Cambridge Public Schools Superintendent’s “Innovation Agenda,” targeting significantly enhanced educational outcomes within this urban district, with the Mayor’s desire to pursue Net Zero Energy.
To fit in its residential neighborhood, the building massing steps back, reducing shadows onto neighborhood building. The school's two primary academic wings also provide a welcoming entry with the creation of a public entrance courtyard.
One aspect of the learning neighborhoods is that its circulation space was organized to provide flexible, informal, learning spaces that would allow for small group work to occur outside of classrooms, activating the "corridor" as a space for learning.
To reduce the scale of the building and encourage greater interaction between faculty and students, both the lower and upper schools were organized into "neighborhoods" compromised of classrooms, labs, administrative offices, and teacher support spaces. Each school is organized as three "neighborhoods" that were intended to encourage a sense of community among a subset of the school population.
To reduce bulling and create positive connections, stairs, staff areas, and primary shared spaces selectively have glazing for views to corridors, breakout spaces, and outdoor spaces.
The Upper and Lower Schools gyms have large doors that open up to a play space. The garden provides a school-wide learning opportunity.
The Upper and Lower Schools each have a distinct entrance within the main courtyard, promoting their individual identities and creating a welcoming front door to each community.
A demand-controlled ventilation system senses classroom occupancy and increases fresh air as needed.
Interior light shelves bounce daylight deep into classrooms, providing a glare-free daylit experience for students and teachers.