| New Lincoln Elementary School: |
| Renovation & Construction
Project Opened September 2000 |
Description of Existing School:
The Lincoln School serves a K-5 student population of 298 regular students, and 112 Title I students and 35 children in other programs. This school, built in 1896 and later added to in 1929, is the oldest in the current elementary system. The building comprises approximately 54,000 gross square feet in floor area. Originally built as a high school, its design is functionally different from what is required for today's elementary school programs. Considering the age of the building and its present physical condition, it is functionally obsolete for an elementary school.
In general, the physical condition shows that the building has been well maintained. It is structurally sound and solidly built. The masonry work needs some repointing in some areas. The exterior woodwork, namely the wood cornice work, shows signs of decay, and needs immediate attention.
The building systems are outdated. The heating plant is more than 40 years old and needs replacing. The windows have been updated with aluminum-frame insulating units, and the roof was replaced approximately 11 years ago.
The building, which has three main levels, is not access-ible according to ADA and MAAB standards for vertical/horizontal circulation. There are minor floor level changes in the ground floor also limiting handicap accessiblity. The toilet rooms are archaic and lack adequate ventilation. They are not accessible by ADA and MAAB standards.
Initial Planning:
This project began with a Master Study of Melrose Elementary Schools, by HMFH Architects Inc., prepared for the Melrose School Building Advisory Committee and approved by the School Committee on September 29, 1997. The Melrose Board of Aldermen reviewed and accepted the study, and its first priority: the construction of a new Lincoln School. On January 5, 1998, the Mayor Patrick C. Guerriero created a Lincoln School Client Committee to guide the design and construction for a new Lincoln School in December 1997. The Client Committee also served as a Designer Selection Committee for the new school, recommending to the Mayor a ranked list of architectural firms. The Mayor concurred with the client committee's top ranked firm, The Design Partnership of Cambridge, who was selected in Febrary 1998.
Members of the Lincoln School Client Committee:
- Chair Jeffery A. Luxenberg, Director, Office of Planning and Community Development
- Mayor Patrick C. Guerriero
- Richard D. Lyons, Alderman
- Gail Infurna, Lincoln School Ward Alderman
- Joseph McKay, Superintendent of Public Works
- Dr. Charles Martin, Superintendent of Schools
- Mary Beth McAteer-Margolis, School Committee
- Alex Popp, Lincoln School Principal
Project Architect:
The Design Partnership of Cambridge (TDPC) was selected for the design of the new Lincoln Elementary school. TDPC is a full-service design firm of approximately 50 employees specializing in architecture for institutions: schools, libraries, and other public building projects. Founded in 1981, the firm is a corporation directed by four principals and four associates. TDPC has completed more than 50 school projects, with over two and a half million square feet of building work completed within the last seven years.
Project Timetable:
Construction began in mid-June, 1999, and was completed and opened in September, 2000.
Project Description:
The programming for this project was based on the standards of Massachusetts School Facilities Services Bureau. The new Lincoln School will feature 12 general classrooms, 2 kindergartens, and 4 special needs classrooms. Each classroom will have 3-4 computers, one for the teacher, the others available for student use, all networked through a server. Other building elements include a Art room, Music room, Library/Media Center, and Computer Lab with 25 workstations. For Physical Education and community use, a new Gymnasium space is being constructed. Lincoln School's new cafeteria will double as a performance space, complete with its own stage.
Faculty and administration will enjoy expanded space: the school will include a principal's office, general office space, a conference room, a teacher's dining room, a teacher's work room, and more restrooms. The entire building will be handicapped accessible, including the construction of an elevator.
In TDPC's design, the addition built in 1926 will be demolished, but the original structure from 1896 will remain, to be renovated. The existing building will receive repointing of the existing masonry, along with interior renovations. To the rear of the existing structure, a new addition will be linked to the old with a dramatic atrium space. This atrium will serve as the main entrance to the building. The addition will be a two story brick building, its design taking cues from the existing building with respect to window proportion and cast stone band details. A clock tower accents the Southeast corner of the new addition. The South elevation of the addition is a flat brick wall punctuated by the South stair tower and entry. A flush brick pattern will be used on the South Elevation to allow for ball play off the wall. The addition's West Elevation encloses the gymnasium, cafeteria, kitchen service area and music room. Minimal windows were used due to the functions of the spaces and the adjacent abutters.
The landscape outside the school is also getting a facelift, based on the design of Larson Associates, Inc., a Landscape Architect consultant to TDPC. The current driveway to the West of the school is being converted to greenspace, and the existing tot lot will remain where it is. The new driveway off West Wyoming Avenue will be on the East side of the school, along with a parking lot and turning circle. Faculty/staff parking spaces will take the place of the existing tennis courts. On the South side of the addition, a new playground is to be constructed. Next to the playground will be an outdoor basketball court/hard surface play area.
RDK is TDPC's consultant handling the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing features of the new Lincoln School. The proposed heating system for the renovated and new facility is to be supplied from 2 new cast iron sectional dual fuel boilers configured to run on gas. The heat distribution system will consist of piping from the boilers to individual fan coil units in each room which will be controlled by individual thermostats giving each space heating control. To cool the building, a 60 ton chiller is being installed, with a 2 pipe sysyem, that has the capability of selectively cooling certain areas in the building. Generally, the Library, Computer Lab, Head End Room, Resource Room, and Administration office spaces will be cooled during hot weather. If an event were going on in the cafetorium cooling would be shifted to the area for the event.
Office of Planning and Community Development