Maria Weston Chapman Middle School

Designing to embrace hands-on learning and inclusive, interdisciplinary education, we helped conceived of the new 252,000-gsf school as an open canvas for exploration. At the heart of Chapman Middle School, an 850-seat multipurpose theatre was drawn to pull audiences and performers close together. A balcony and stepped-down boxes encircle the stage, providing students with immediate feedback and meaningful engagement during performances. Adjustable acoustics and a detachable shell convert the sonic environment for each performance type, and a robust rigging system—including four catwalks—gives the school exceptional production flexibility. Intuitive student-friendly performance equipment, comfortable confines, and an accessibility-minded design approach help to encourage students of STEAM fields to venture into new territories and step out of their comfort zone.