Our work for the Breakwater School began with a Campus Master Plan, that helped outline a series of projects that would be taken on over the years to bolster and improve on the student and faculty experience at the school.

Phase one included the initial site reorganization, as well as a small addition and renovation to the Annex Building, providing a new entrance and enlarged stage facility. The success of this first piece of work built tremendous support in the community for the next phase of the project.

Phase two included a 6,800 SF addition to the main Classroom Building consisting of a library/media center, new “commons” areas at each of the three levels, and four new classrooms. A new main entrance connected all levels of the school to each other and to the playground space outside. A new elevator provided school-wide handicapped accessibility. Approximately 3,000 SF of the existing brick building was renovated to include a Science Lab, administrative offices, the school’s first faculty room, and new bathroom and support areas. By bringing the Child’s Play Program into the main building, all of the School’s primary educational programs were integrated under one roof for the first time.

The Multi-Purpose/Gymnasium Building represents the third phase of the Breakwater School Master Plan. The 11,000 SF building provides space for all school gatherings, physical education, and dramatic productions. The first floor includes a 3,500 SF multi-purpose space, toilet/shower rooms, an office, stage, green room, storage, and an elevator. The lower level includes a conference/board room, offices, a warming kitchen, bathrooms, and a large school-wide storage area. The green room is a dramatic two-story space at the point of the triangle. Here students work in a planetarium-like classroom environment, with large scale images, videos, and graphics projected on a sloped wall above. At night, this room, with its glass top, becomes a colorful display of Breakwater events and artwork for the passing public.

Client  |  Breakwater School

Location  |  Portland, Maine