Mountain View School consolidates three aging elementary schools and middle school under a single roof, providing educational equity to the Town of Easthampton through a state of the art learning environment designed to serve its community for many years to come.
Through focused discussions and careful listing, the design team translated stakeholders’ visions into a light-filled, inspiring collection of collaborative spaces that support diverse personalities and learning styles. By organizing the building into grade level communities, the school conveys a comfortable scale for its students, allowing them to better connect with their teachers and peers as they build agency within a safe environment. Community-shared program spaces, such as the gymnatorium, wellness center and two cafeterias, are located at the heart of the building and serve as a buffer between the younger and older age populations during the school day.
Nestled against wooded parklands, and with Mt. Tom as a backdrop, the school’s location is both beautiful and calming. Large windows and glazed entrance walls invite visitors in, while open, well-lit classrooms strengthen connections between the building, its occupants and the surrounding nature. Flexible learning spaces continue through to outdoor classrooms, rain gardens and age-appropriate outdoor play areas. Drawing from the benefits of biophilic design, the school incorporates naturally sourced materials, such as wood, stone tile and terrazzo throughout, providing each of its students with a joyful place to learn.