Since the first project meeting, a tremendous amount of work has taken place on the Brunswick City Schools Construction Project.

Project Progress

The new board office and maintenance center are now entering their second phase of design, or "Design Development." This is where additional detail is added to initial layouts with more interior surfaces, cabinetry and materials. These detailed drawings are used to provide more accurate cost estimates. At the same time, the team is working through schematic design on the new Brunswick High School. The building footprint is being adjusted to accommodate the necessary interior layout and incorporate feedback from school administrators and staff, resulting in a design that supports high-quality education and meets the needs of all stakeholders. 

The plans for site improvements at the Applewood and Kidder elementary schools are almost complete and expected to be sent through the City of Brunswick's review process soon. The primary goal for these site improvements was to bring traffic onto the elementary school site to minimize the impact surrounding neighborhoods through reorganizing traffic flow and expanding the surrounding parking lots.

Tentatively, site improvements at Kidder Elementary School should be complete in August of 2024, and site improvements at Applewood Elementary School by November 2024. This should make a big impact on traffic flow in these neighborhoods. 

Finally, demolition drawings are being completed for Towslee and Willetts. The demolition of these buildings will be the first “physical” progress on the construction sites. They should begin in late spring of 2024 and take around 3 months to complete. 

Student and Educator Engagements

To gather input for the design of the new school, ThenDesign Architecture consulted with each high school department from November to December. This collaborative process involved scheduling meetings with department representatives to understand their unique needs and how the layout of the new school could better support their work. The insights gained from these conversations will inform the design of the new school, helping to create a space that is optimized for the specific requirements of the high school community. This approach highlights the importance of engaging with stakeholders in the design process, ensuring that the final product meets the needs of those who will be using it on a daily basis.

In addition to consulting with high school departments, the design team also engaged with seniors during a Senior Seminar in November. This provided an opportunity for the soon-to-be graduates to share their insights for the new high school and offer suggestions for the design. Each group was able to present their ideas to both district representatives and architects, contributing to the overall design process and ensuring that student perspectives were considered. This engagement with the school community underscores the importance of collaboration in the design of learning spaces, helping to create an environment that supports the needs and aspirations of all stakeholders.

Of the many good ideas pitched, several that stood out included:

• Providing dedicated collaborative spaces in the high school for older students to work on projects together in a media-rich environment. 

• Designing the cafeteria to better suit students who choose to eat and be productive during this period. They noted that many of their peers would leave school to find better-suited spaces rather than stay in the building.

• Design flexibility in the science labs and music spaces to support small or larger group lesson activities. Currently, the available spaces are very challenging to rearrange.  

• Potentially develop spaces that are dedicated to student mental health. Perhaps plan for a space to speak with a counselor or other professional. 

Next Steps

Moving forward, the next phase of the project involves submitting drawings for the board office, maintenance center, and site improvements for design review by the City of Brunswick. The team will also complete the schematic design for the new high school, marking an important milestone in the development process. As the design progresses to the design development stage, these plans will be carefully refined to ensure accuracy and alignment with the project budget. This systematic and detail-oriented approach helps to ensure that the new high school is not only well-designed but also delivered in a cost-effective manner, maximizing the use of resources and supporting the long-term sustainability of the school. Overall, this marks an exciting step forward in the realization of a new high-quality learning environment for the community.

The community is invited to participate in an engagement event on April 17th, where the current status of the project will be presented, and feedback on the school's exterior design will be gathered. This event offers an excellent opportunity for community members to contribute to the design process and help shape the aesthetic direction of the new high school. Students, parents, teachers, and community members are all encouraged to attend and share their ideas. This input will be valuable in ensuring that the final design reflects the community's priorities and aspirations. The event is an important milestone in the development process and provides a platform for community members to engage with the project and make their voices heard. We hope to see a strong turnout and look forward to hearing the community's thoughts on the design of the new high school. Together, we can create a learning environment that is not only functional but also a source of pride for the community.

If you have questions or comments, feel free to explore the project website, or contact us for a personal response.