Pelham Lifelong Learning Center

Framingham, MA

CATEGORIES

  • COMMUNITY CENTER
  • NEW CONSTRUCTION

CLIENT

  • Pelham Lifelong Learning Center, Inc.

DESCRIPTION

  • 8,000 SF 2-story community center as new focal point for 500 unit affordable housing complex

COST

  • $3,000,000

COMPLETION

  • 2020

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DESIGN CHALLENGE

Design a community facility that would be starkly different from the surrounding 2 story brick apartment buildings – offering an inspiration and a place of which the community could be proud. Unlike other projects where the task is to blend in, the intent here is to stand out.

DESIGN APPROACH

Pelham Apartments consists of approximately 500 units of housing with over 1,000 children living there. The management company needed space to provide the kinds of services and programs that such a large community needed. Our approach was unlike that of most of our other projects – where we would strive to “fit in”. This project called for a stand out building, one that would not be confused with the many surrounding similar garden apartment buildings. This project provided us with an opportunity to create something truly special – with community spaces, Technology center, library, offices , meeting rooms etc. The 2 story building was designed around a central atrium with skylights and a dramatic staircase and surrounding balcony. The second floor spaces were designed with an angling façade and rising roofline – all in celebration of this community and this center.