hopedale jr/sr high school

OMR was commissioned by the Town of Hopedale to prepare a feasibility study, resulting in a major addition and renovation of the original William F. Draper High School located in the proposed State Historic District of this traditional New England mill town.

Our design solution for this project fused old and new to form a revitalized educational facility. Strategically placed behind the original 1929 structure, the addition restores architectural integrity to the original historic façade and respects the residential scale of the surrounding neighborhood. This placement also conceals an unappealing “modern” wing built in 1958. The addition’s compact and efficient design makes the best use of the available land area. Despite the constraints of a small six-acre lot, the design successfully accommodates a 100,000 sf program with a new entry gallery, science labs, library/media center, cafeteria and kitchen facilities, and classrooms, new play areas, a new safe bus drop-off loop, improved public access for after-school community uses, and expanded on-site parking.

The renovation not only updates the building’s systems to comply with all current codes and safety regulations in an energy efficient manner, but also prepares the school for the future. New wiring and computer networking capabilities throughout the facility give students and faculty access to the latest audio, video, and telecommunication technologies. This project was phased and occupied during construction.

Upon entering the school, one experiences the openness, transparency, and warmth of this learning environment. Natural light streams through skylights and glass transoms throughout the school. In the words of its users, students, teachers, staff, and visitors alike, the new school is filled with “memorable spaces” that are designed to support and nurture for generations to come.