Freeman-Kennedy School

New Grade 3–6 Facility | Norfolk, Massachusetts

Located in Norfolk, Massachusetts, the Freeman-Kennedy School is a new 96,410-sf facility serving 585 students to grades 3 through 6. The school includes 28 general classrooms; a gymnasium; a cafetorium; a library; special education, music, and art rooms; and outdoor academic spaces. 

Invoking images of old stone mill buildings and birch groves, the design of the school embraces its natural setting. Sturdy stone wings surround a playful metal and glass rear courtyard that includes an outdoor classroom, a water garden, and clusters of shade trees. All classroom spaces and the two-story library have exposed wood beam ceilings.

The project has been verified by the Massachusetts Collaborative for High Performance Schools (MA-CHPS) for its energy efficiency and sustainability. The building has a state-of-the-art HVAC displacement ventilation system, photovoltaic panels on its south-facing roofs, and perforated metal sun screens to minimize solar gain in the classroom.

Exterior of entrance at dusk
Students using library with sage green wall to the left and shelves of books in center with floor to ceiling windows on the right
Students and teachers in classroom at desks
Red lounge seat on colorful carpet in corner of classroom with windows behind and desks to the right
Students reading at lounge chairs in library with floor to ceiling walls on left side looking out to courtyard and books shelves to the right
Students sat at cafeteria with stage to the left with yellow accents and a blue curtain
Students playing in gymnasium with basketball hoops on the left
View of entrance with sunset sky behind

Project Information

Time Span 2009–2012

Type New Grade 3–6 Facility

Client Norfolk Public Schools

Size 96,410 square feet

Cost $35 million

Design Team Jorge Cruz, Principal-in-Charge; Bill Beatrice, Project Manager; Kent Kovacs, Project Architect

Consultants Nitsch Engineering (Civil Engineering); Boston Building Consultants (Structural Engineering); Garcia, Galuska & DeSousa, Inc. (MEP/FP Engineering); WDA Design Group (Landscape Architecture); CostPro (Cost Estimating); LAB [3.2] Architecture (Interior Architect)

Photographer Robert Benson

Certifications Massachusetts Collaborative for High Performance Schools (MA-CHPS) Verified

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Freeman-Kennedy School

New Grade 3–6 Facility | Norfolk, Massachusetts

Located in Norfolk, Mass., the Freeman-Kennedy School is a new 96,410-sf facility serving 585 students to grades 3 through 6. The school includes 28 general classrooms; a gymnasium; a cafetorium; a library; special education, music, and art rooms; and outdoor academic spaces. 

Exterior of entrance at dusk
Students using library with sage green wall to the left and shelves of books in center with floor to ceiling windows on the right
Students and teachers in classroom at desks
Red lounge seat on colorful carpet in corner of classroom with windows behind and desks to the right
Students reading at lounge chairs in library with floor to ceiling walls on left side looking out to courtyard and books shelves to the right
Students sat at cafeteria with stage to the left with yellow accents and a blue curtain
Students playing in gymnasium with basketball hoops on the left
View of school at sunset from grassy field
View of entrance with sunset sky behind
Time Span 2009–2012
Type New Grade 3–6 Facility
Client Norfolk Public Schools
Size 96,410 square feet
Cost $35 million
Design Team Jorge Cruz, Principal-in-Charge; Bill Beatrice, Project Manager; Kent Kovacs, Project Architect
Consultants Nitsch Engineering (Civil Engineering); Boston Building Consultants (Structural Engineering); Garcia, Galuska & DeSousa, Inc. (MEP/FP Engineering); WDA Design Group (Landscape Architecture); CostPro (Cost Estimating); LAB [3.2] Architecture (Interior Architect)
General Contractor Fontaine Brothers
Photographer Robert Benson
Certifications Massachusetts Collaborative for High Performance Schools (MA-CHPS) Verified