Built for Next Generation Education

Since 1955, Lincoln High School has undergone multiple renovations and additions. Still, the building was keeping students of Lincoln, RI, from their absolute best educational experience. SMMA was tasked with transforming the existing patchwork Lincoln High School building into a new, modern facility.

Teachers and administrators met with the planning and design team throughout the design process to ensure that the new school would be ready for “Next Generation Teaching and Learning.” These sessions resulted in specialty classrooms built for hands-on learning, spaces for special education programs, a new media center, studios, and practice rooms for the arts as well as engineering, robotics, and business labs.

In a story from The Valley Breeze, former principal and current assistant superintendent of schools Kevin McNamara explained how important this transition into modern education was. “This is a really exciting time for Lincoln High School,” he said, “[the new building is] more conducive to 21st-century learning and group work.”

Alongside the state-of-the-art learning spaces that the new school includes, the redesign features common areas carefully constructed to meet the needs of the students and staff. The well-secured main entryway is directly visible from the main office for added supervision, and the new health suite has easy access to the exterior in case emergency vehicles are needed. The renovation also includes the a new kitchen and servery, which provides increased options for student meal choice. The new Dining Commons allows students to gather and socialize but and can be easily transitioned into a large group instruction area. Students will also enjoy the renovated auditorium as well as the a new gymnasium and locker rooms.

In another article from The Valley Breeze, Building Committee Co-chairwoman Julie Zito remarked on the atmosphere and flow of the new building and its common areas. “It’s phenomenal,” Zito said. “It’s so welcoming and well done.”

In a Twitter thread, Lincoln High School principal Rob Mezzanotte shared the following images of the common areas and classrooms:

SMMA’s Anne Fontaine is the project architect for the Lincoln High School renovation. With the first stage of the renovation complete, she and the rest of the SMMA team are proud of the design and are looking forward to seeing it benefit the students and staff of LHS. “It’s really exciting to see the teachers and administrators starting to move into the areas of new construction,” Fontaine said.

“We hope seeing these spaces will fill everyone with excitement for the renovation of the remainder of the spaces, scheduled to be completed at the end of the 2020-2021 school year.”