Rumney Marsh Academy

Revere, MACategory of Entry

Project of DistinctionDrummey Rosane Anderson, Inc.

2009 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

Rumney Marsh Academy

Main Exterior Image

Community Context

Previously utilized as athletic fields for adjacent High School, the 11.7 acre urban property occupies a site directly adjacent to a State Highway and abutting industrial, commercial and residential use groups.

The exterior building design features a terra-cotta ground face concrete masonry unit (CMU) veneer with accent units and courses of split faced CMU, each an intentional connection to the vernacular architecture of the community.

The location of Rumney Marsh Academy on this site establishes an educational center for the community in the heart of Revere.

LOCAL MATERIALS AND TEXTURES

Educational Programme: A Communications-based

Approach

Educational Philosophy & Program Expectations Provide a stimulating environment with an orientation in the classics and an emphasis communication across the curriculum that maximizes individual potential

Deploy technology and advanced presentation equipment throughout the building

Solution – Building OrganizationEducationally, the design organizes functions in three distinct zones: an academic instructional zone, a non-academic/social zone, and a intermediate instructional zone between that houses central administration, a formal presentation space, the Library, Art and Music.

Instructional spaces are organized into grade level communities that include grade level classrooms, science and technology spaces, and teacher planning zones in an effort to increase communication between staff members

Grade 8

Grade 7

Grade 6

EntryFirst Floor

Second Floor

Third Floor

Academic Instruction

Intermediate Instruction

Circulation

Non-Academic/Social

Educational Programme: A Communications-based

Approach

Solution – Programmatic DetailsCustomized presentation space for speech and debate, a TV production studio and digital imaging lab to support thematic programs

Classrooms are equipped with LCD projectors and smartboards

Classrooms are zoned to accommodate different activity centers that respond to different learning modalities

Laptop carts and wireless transponders in the classrooms provide instant access to technology for all students

Main Lobby serves a programmatic desire to house small music performance and art exhibitions

Supervision and security were accommodated via minimized corridors and simple plan layout

Main Lobby

Lecture TheaterSpecial Ed. Classroom

Typical Classroom

Architectural Characteristics

Communications Expressed Through Architecture The design was informed by and is intended to communicate:

A high degree of visibility from the adjacent arterial highway and a response to the strong dynamic movement at the edge of the site

The client’s vision for a progressive design that would be attractive to students and a technologically progressive attitude

Fiscal economy without compromising programmatic requirements or inspirational aesthetic

Solution – Site DevelopmentAs viable building sites were limited, construction was restricted to the existing High School recreation fields. The design incorporated an efficient footprint and a new artificial playfield to minimize the impact to the site and accommodate the exterior programs of both facilities.

Community synergy was improved with the integration of a community walking path that doubles as a pedestrian connection to the adjacent high school site and the creation of a publicly accessible artificial play field on the site.

Building on the site also provided the opportunity to upgrade drainage systems and resolve a long-standing drainage issue for the local community.

RT. 60

Pedestrian Walking Path

To High School

Entry

Architectural Characteristics

Solution – Building FormThe building form possess two dichotomous expressions. The first is a linear volume with rhythmic fenestration in the classroom wing that subtlety communicates with the highway that runs tangent to its face. The second is a more dynamic, expressive volume at the main entry that serves to both terminate the long planar face of the classroom wing as well as redirect access and set up a new axis for entry into the building. The intersection of these two axis, as well as the tension between the two volumes and different vocabularies, sets up a system by which the interior program and functions can be manifest and meaningful on the exterior façade.

Primary Axis

Secondary AxisEntry

First Floor Plan

Entry

Architectural Characteristics

Solution – InteriorsThe 180 seat Lecture Theater offers a flexible layout and media options for various uses including theatrical and graphic communication, but primarily focused on expressing the value of verbal communication. Acoustics, lighting and configuration are specifically adapted for spoken work productions such as lectures and debates.

Each grade-level community possess a bulge in the otherwise efficient corridors to establish a nodal moment at the head of each community to architecturally communicate two programmatic concepts:

1. The location of administrative and staff spaces with a welcoming, concave gesture

2. The threshold between the three zones of the building clearly indicating an area that belongs to a specific sub-groups of students, an educational concept that improves student attitudes of belonging and reduces student anonymity

To Lobby

Community Engagement: An Inclusive & Continuous

Process

Community ParticipationAlthough directed by the Superintendent’s Office, the design process solicited input and incorporated design concepts from a wide variety of community and school-based groups via programming and design meetings.

•Faculty and Staff•Parents and Community Members•Department of Public Works•Fire Department•Health Department•Police Department

The final design outcome is rich with a synthesis of ideas from these diverse stakeholders.

Professional ContinuityPlanning and design team was able to maintain a high degree of continuity throughout the design and construction process. DRA’s Project Manager, Project Architect continued to be significantly involved in the project through construction administration.

Documents

Listening

Visioning

Collecting

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Data

Submitting Firm : Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc. Project Role architectProject Contact Carl R. Franceschi, AIATitle PrincipalAddress 141 Herrick RoadCity, State or Province, Country Newton Centre, MA 02459, USAPhone 617-964-1700

Joint Partner Firm:Project RoleProject ContactTitleAddressCity, State or Province, CountryPhone

Other Firm: RF Walsh Project Management, Inc.Project Role Construction ManagerProject Contact Simon TempestTitleAddress 1200 Bennington StreetCity, State or Province, Country East Boston, MA 02120, USAPhone

Construction Firm: GVW, Inc.Project Role General ContractorProject ContactTitleAddress 51 Sleeper Street, 8th FloorCity, State or Province, Country Boston, MA 02210Phone

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Details

Project Name  Rumney Marsh Academy

City Revere 

State Massachusetts

District Name Revere Public Schools

Supt/President  Paul Dakin

Occupancy Date  September 2008

Grades Housed  6-8

 

Capacity (Students)  565

Site Size (acres)  11.7 Acres

Gross Area (sq. ft.)  96,500 SF

Per Occupant(pupil) 170 SF 

gross/net please indicate  gross

 

Design and Build?  

If yes, Total Cost:  

Includes:  

 

If no,  

Site Development:  $1,100,000

Building Construction: $26,800,000

Fixed Equipment: $727,900

Other: $690,200 (technology)

 

Total:  $29,318,100