The construction and renovation of Boston Renaissance Charter Public School’s new campus is the largest charter school project to be constructed in the Commonwealth to date. HMFH designed a renovation of two buildings---a 70,000 sf historic heavy timber and masonry mill building built in 1889, and a 20,000 sf 1974 metal siding and concrete block warehouse building---as well as a 15,000 sf addition. These structures, housed on a 6-acre industrial site, replace Boston Renaissance’s former home in a multi-story building not conducive to education.

The mill building has been transformed to house the majority of the classrooms for grades 1-6, with kindergarten and PK housed in the one-story addition. A flexible assembly space grows from opening partitions between the gym, cafetorium, and adjacent dance and music studios and can accommodate school-wide assemblies and public events.

The LEED certifiable school incorporates many green design measures, including an automated dimming system that adjusts artificial lighting levels when there is sufficient daylight, a displacement ventilation system, and the use of reclaimed wood in the entry canopy.