Occupying three full levels of the eight storey Corporate Commons Three mixed use complex, also designed by CetraRuddy, the new Integration Charter School facilities will significantly expand the organisation's ability to serve its growing student body. This project will also bring three Integration Charter School communities, the John W. Lavelle Preparatory Charter School, Nicotra Early College Charter School and New Ventures Charter School, together into a single campus for the first time.
CetraRuddy Principal, Theresa M. Genovese, says the new work for Integration Charter School reflects a growing trend of incorporating urban schools within mixed use communities; it also exemplifies a number of emerging best practices for contemporary K-12 learning environments.
Key project elements include, firstly, a sensitive integration within the larger mixed use complex through a separate ground-floor student entry lobby and elevator bank, as well as the location of gyms, cafeterias, and other social spaces on the middle school floor to reduce noise impacts for other building tenants.
Secondly, facilities that support diverse learning styles, including a range of spaces for group and individual musical instruction, as well as a full commercial teaching kitchen and working rooftop farm for food based educational programmes. These uses also support student job training and internship opportunities at Corporate Commons Three’s onsite, not-for-profit restaurant.
Lastly, a design approach emphasising wellness for students and teaching staff alike. Highlights include durable finishes in a calming neutral colour palette, open corridors and classrooms oriented around the building’s perimeter for maximum natural daylight exposure and dedicated counseling “clusters” for each grade comprising a meeting room. Additionally, a counseling room and teacher workroom adjacent to classrooms, large central common spaces for each grade to encourage a sense of community and belonging, a yoga centre and meditation areas specifically for teachers, and the accessible green roof for nutrition-focused, skills based education.
The project was completed in Spring 2021.