K-12 Educational Design: Tour of the New Josiah Quincy Upper School (In-Person)

Event Description

Sited at the threshold of Boston's Chinatown neighborhood, the newly opened Josiah Quincy Upper School (JQUS) is a showcase for equitable, community-focused, sustainable design as one of the first projects to open under the Green New Deal for Boston Public Schools initiative. The high-rise facility creates expanded opportunities for Boston students, with spacious, light-filled learning and common areas, as well as a coveted rooftop green space that supports student wellness.

Located just opposite the Josiah Quincy Elementary School, the two structures form a gateway into the Chinatown neighborhood, establishing a notable academic presence. A variety of bold colors, chosen to reflect the diversity of the school's enrollment, outline windows along the building's façade.

Within the school, a welcoming vertical circulation core connects the upper academic floors with public-facing spaces near ground level. This state-of-the-art educational facility features south-facing classrooms with expansive windows for optimal daylighting. Collaborative project areas at the heart of each floor link classrooms, science labs, and breakout spaces, accommodating various modes of group and individual learning with flexible furniture and diverse workspaces.

Despite the constraints of the school’s one-acre urban site adjacent to two major highways, the design maintains a connection to nature and prioritizes student well-being via an accessible rooftop. The occupiable roof provides space for movement, hands-on project work, and mindful contemplation. An innovative and efficient HVAC system draws in fresh, highly filtered air for classrooms to ensure a healthy interior environment. On track to achieve LEED Platinum certification, the new fossil-fuel-free JQUS sets high standards for efficiency, resiliency, and environmental health.

We will meet at the main entrance, 900 Washington St. Boston, MA.

Presenters

HMFH Architect Design team members leading the tour will include:

Matt LaRue AIA | LEED Green Associate, Melissa Greene AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Alicia Crothers AIA | LEED AP,

Matthew Mendonca | GGD Consulting Engineers