Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School

OVERVIEW

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School construction project consisted of the abatement and demolition of the existing school followed by the new construction of a 190,000 square foot, state-of-the-art public school and community complex using the MGL Chapter 149A Public CM-at-Risk process. The MLK School was designed to target Net Zero energy while also ensuring the space was such that it would allow for proper integration yet separation between the various schools it would serve, which included a Preschool, a Lower School (K-5) and the Upper School (6-8 grade).

The new school and complex includes a 400-seat auditorium, two gymnasiums, a learning commons that is tightly woven into the library and media center areas, a quaint yet functional cafeteria and servery with full kitchen, City Sprouts outdoor roof patio and garden, as well as 69 underground parking spaces to accommodate parking for school staff.

In an effort to meet the Net Zero goals, the school was completed with 65 geothermal wells and a photovoltaic array system that produces just under 600kW, which is approximately 50% of the energy needed to operate the building. The project is LEED Platinum certified.

The project's exterior consisted of a number of façade materials including face brick, silicate brick, metal plate panels, formed metal panels, fiber cement panels, and a significant amount of curtainwall and punched window openings. The interior was comprised of terrazzo flooring on the ground floor with Marmoleum being utilized primarily throughout all corridors and classrooms, and ceramic tile in all bathrooms/showers.