Brian McCarthy Middle School
Citation Award // Excellence in Architectural Design - Commercial/Institutional
Architect // Harriman
GC // Harvey Construction
Mechanical Engineer // Harriman
Electrical Engineer // Harriman
Structural Engineer // Harriman
Civil Engineer // Harriman
Description
Located within a developed residential neighborhood, this middle school creates a welcoming environment that supports the academic, social, and emotional development of young adolescents. The school is organized into smaller learning communities that foster a sense of belonging, with classrooms centered around collaboration spaces featuring writable surfaces, small-group rooms, student displays, and connections to the outdoors. At the heart of the building, a light-filled student commons serves as a hub for dining, performances, assemblies, and community gatherings. Specialized learning spaces support exploration in music, art, STEM, woodworking, and culinary arts, encouraging creativity and discovery. Designed to provide equitable access for learners, special services are integrated throughout the school, including recreation space for students with disabilities. A compact site plan minimizes impacts on sensitive habitat while promoting walkability, safety, and community use. The exterior combines brick and tile elements to create a scale and character that complements the surrounding neighborhood.
Jury Comments
This project is recognized with a Citation Award for its compelling exploration of spatial organization and community-centered design. The jury valued the project's efficient use of a compact site and its deliberate arrangement of program components, creating a coherent framework that brings together educational spaces, support functions, and shared environments. Merit was found in the incorporation of student gathering spaces as social catalysts and in the strong visual connections established among different program areas. The project demonstrated a clear commitment to inclusive design principles and accessibility, proposing environments that encourage interaction, engagement, and a sense of belonging within interconnected learning communities.
Photo credit: Blind Dog Photography