The new Greylock Early Childhood School, located on the northern slopes of Mount Greylock, serves students in pre-kindergarten through 2nd grade.
The building volumes are organized so that they do not overwhelm the sensibilities of the students, who will predominantly be between ages four and eight. The building carefully steps down to a single story along Phelps Street to resemble the single-family homes that are its neighbors. The roof line of the building playfully undulates, creating a string of gable-like smaller elements that further break down the volume of the building into smaller components. The entrance to the school is protected by a generous roof overhang that creates a porch with south-facing exposure. Warm, natural-toned materials line the walls of the porch and glue-laminated wood beams support the roof to make this outdoor space inviting and comfortable. In a playful way, the building's faceted, sloping roof line resembles the ridge line of the nearby Greylock and East Mountain ranges, both visible from the site. This connection is intentional and conveys the school’s role in educating its students about their local environment and its importance in a larger global context. This may be the only public school in Massachusetts on the Appalachian Trail. The project includes relocating the turtles and their habitat from the existing school to the new school’s courtyard. The interior of the building carefully opens larger spaces on the first floor, such as the gymnasium, cafeteria, and media center, to after-hours public access, while keeping academic areas secure.
The project will achieve a LEED silver rating (or higher) under the USGBC’s LEED for Schools rating system. It will employ geothermal wells and heat pumps that harness the energy available in the earth and a highly efficient, all-electric mechanical system. It is designed to be Net Zero ready. Its roof can support a future solar panel array that could provide all of the energy required for the building.
LEED Silver Target
Net Zero Ready