For Tyngsborough, pursuing a ground-up structure allowed the school to provide the infrastructure and spatial requirements for flexible, project-based learning and co-teaching methodologies. | Photo Credit (all): Robert Benson Photography
By Douglas Roberts, AIA, LEED AP听
听In an era of project听delays听and听increasing challenges around funding approvals,听it鈥檚听never been more critical to apply strategic thinking and creative approaches to problem solving听to steer education projects to completion. Feasibility studies听are听a useful tool both internally and externally, delivering relevant data and information to project teams while informing stakeholders of the听why听behind each decision. These essential undertakings provide a deep dive to define a program, evaluate existing facilities, and build public consensus on a project.听听
The importance of a听project’s relationship with the public cannot be overstated, particularly when it comes to education.听Education听projects are typically publicly funded and听largely depend听on approval by local voters. With the importance of providing value to the community and听demonstrating听prudent听financial听stewardship, designers and project managers take on the unique role of pulling the curtain back to walk听stakeholders听through the logic behind听educational value, cost听implications听and schedule impacts. The use of feasibility studies clarifies this important context, evaluating critical components of a project and delivering this information through data-backed decision-making.听
Located in Massachusetts, Tyngsborough Middle School听provides听a compelling example. Developed in tandem with the Town of Tyngsborough and Tyngsborough Public Schools, the听feasibility听study informed the decision-making process for the new school while听facilitating听an informative dialogue with the community.听
Overview of Feasibility Study Process听
In addition to local processes, the project first had to navigate the rigorous requirements of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), a quasi-independent government authority that collaborates with local communities to help to elevate delivery of educational services. The organization鈥檚 prescriptive process promotes听equitable听distribution of tax dollars and prioritizes educational outcomes throughout the Commonwealth. MSBA independently evaluates the school district鈥檚 defined听needs听through the educational program,听which can result in design solutions that range from code upgrades,听additions听and renovations to ground-up facilities.听听
Project teams are engaged to conduct feasibility studies that evaluate options for an educational environment that meets the district’s needs and is cost effective, safe,听sustainable听and energy efficient. Using MSBA鈥檚 guidelines to chart a reasonable path forward for the development, the study must be factual, creating context for dialogue without advocating for a single solution. A successful study听(and听subsequent听project)听relies on the close collaboration of a “three-headed team”: the school district (via its School Building Committee), the owner’s project manager (OPM), and the design team. Additionally, having strong community advocates, like school administrators and building committee chairs, can make听a big difference听in successfully navigating the process and garnering support throughout a community.听
Built in 1967, the original Tyngsborough Middle School building had been renovated but not expanded, raising concerns that ranged from antiquated systems and aging FF&E to space limitations and听impact on听adoption of current instructional models. After consideration of multiple design options from the study, the Town听elected听to pursue a new construction听option听based on its needs.听
Relationship to Public听
The community’s demands, priorities, and feedback are essential throughout the听feasibility听study and project planning.听It鈥檚听not a one-size-fits-all situation; to build trust and support from stakeholders, education projects must be catered to the area. This requires a variety of considerations: is there a focus on sports and recreation, or the arts? Are there certain programs that draw more community participation than others? For Tyngsborough, this meant investing in听a state-of-the-art听softball field and a听flexible performance space to support existing, high-value theater programs shared by the middle and high school. The community recognized the benefit of the project through the successful vote approving the project funding.听
These studies are also critical for educating the public on hidden infrastructure needs, such as outdated MEP systems, and building consensus. If voters听don鈥檛听comprehend听demands that听aren鈥檛听visually听apparent, a project could fail, which can result in years-long delayed funding and increased costs. Clear and direct communication is key to relaying these messages; this can be听accomplished听through in-person and digital forums, attending Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) meetings, or even visiting local senior听centers for those with limited mobility. Streamlining this dialogue through direct action is the most effective way to keep communities knowledgeable and satisfied, resulting in more positive project outcomes for every stakeholder.听
Looking Ahead
For Tyngsborough, pursuing a ground-up structure allowed the school to provide the infrastructure and spatial requirements for flexible, project-based learning and co-teaching methodologies. The brand new two-story, 112,784 square foot facility is adaptable for current and future pedagogy, incorporating听state-of-the-art听spaces for STEM/STEAM and performing arts, community access and resources, and sustainability integrations that keep the new school adaptable for generations to come.听听
As school districts and organizations like MSBA continue to evaluate needs as learning environments and technology evolves, these feasibility-informed decisions chart a well-rounded path forward for students, educators, and communities. Creating unique education design solutions tailored to a community’s long-term vision and needs, not just its current state, is made possible through this process鈥攅mbracing the future while honoring the present.听
Douglas Roberts, AIA, LEED AP, is Principal at听