Wood End Elementary School

New K-5 Facility | Reading, Massachusetts

Envisioned as a "school in the woods," the award-winning Wood End School in Reading, Mass., uses an exposed timber frame, skylights, and generous windows to strengthen its connection to the adjacent town forest. The media center, located between the more contemplative academic wing and the more active cafeteria/gymnasium wing, is the heart of the school. An intimately scaled entrance courtyard and lobby welcome visitors and students to the school. Wood materials bring warmth and softness to both the exterior facades and interior environment.

Front entrance of building with floor to ceiling windows at dusk with soft yellow light emitting
Students seated in classroom with wood beams and wood paneling on ceiling
Interior corridor with large wood beams vertically and horizontally
Upper floor ceiling with large wood beams and hanging lights
Library in center with shelving carts along back wall. Wood beams and paneling on ceiling

Project Information

Time Span 2002-2005

Type New K–5 Facility

Client Reading Public Schools

Size 56,000 square feet

Cost $9.0 million

Consultants Waterman Design Associates (Landscape Architect)

Photographer Woodruff/Brown

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Wood End Elementary School

New K-5 Facility

Envisioned as a "school in the woods," the award-winning Wood End School in Reading, Mass., uses an exposed timber frame, skylights, and generous windows to strengthen its connection to the adjacent town forest. The media center, located between the more contemplative academic wing and the more active cafeteria/gymnasium wing, is the heart of the school. An intimately scaled entrance courtyard and lobby welcome visitors and students to the school. Wood materials bring warmth and softness to both the exterior facades and interior environment.

Front entrance of building with floor to ceiling windows at dusk with soft yellow light emitting
Students seated in classroom with wood beams and wood paneling on ceiling
Interior corridor with large wood beams vertically and horizontally
Upper floor ceiling with large wood beams and hanging lights
Library in center with shelving carts along back wall. Wood beams and paneling on ceiling
2 buildings connected by pergola, bright green trees extend from background and blue sky with large white clouds above
Time Span 2002–2005
Type New K–5 Facility
Client Reading Public Schools
Size 56,000 square feet
Cost $9.0 million
Consultants Waterman Design Associates (Landscape Architect)
Photographer Woodruff/Brown