Site demolition began this week for a new public elementary school that will serve 600 students in downtown Westfield, Massachusetts. Dodson & Flinker collaborated with Margo Jones Architects on the design of the new school. Under the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s (MSBA) Model Schools program, the building was based on the Williamstown Elementary School (2004), but all of the site work was of necessity customized to fit the Westfield site.
In addition to layout of parking, bus/vehicle drop off lanes, playing fields, hard-surface play areas, service areas and circulation, the plan includes an extensive nature/adventure play area and outdoor environmental classroom. Dodson & Flinker will be working closely with the landscape contractors to source and install local black locust timber and boulders for the play spaces.