BROOKLINE, MA — Officials from the Public Schools of Brookline, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Town of Brookline recently joined students, alumni, families, educators, neighbors, and representatives from Leftfield, Jonathan Levi Architects, and Gilbane Building Company to celebrate the official groundbreaking of the 155,000-square-foot Michael Driscoll Elementary School in Brookline, Massachusetts.

The new facility will address concerns regarding a growing student population within the district, accommodating nearly 800 students in grades pre-kindergarten through eighth. Through purposeful design, the school will offer Brookline’s youngest and middle grades learners an environment to bolster 21st century learning.

Designed by Jonathan Levi Architects, the new school will include several signature architectural features including extensive curtain wall and an interior multi-story atrium with monumental stair. Sustainable features include photovoltaic roof arrays and a geothermal system.

“I believe our mandate is to provide creative, joyful, whole child public education for our diverse community of learners,” said Susan Wolf Ditkoff, Building Project Co-Chair and elected School Committee member. “We are thrilled that these new purpose-built spaces will make learning visible, encourage development and collaboration for students and teachers, and actively welcome every member of our community into our public buildings. This new plan actually increases our outdoor greenspace while adding new arts, science, and maker spaces and improving our carbon footprint through an entirely fossil-fuel free system and a cycling/pedestrian/transit friendly design.”

“We’re excited to mark the official start of this amazing project with the Town of Brookline,” said Mike O’Brien, Senior Vice President and Business Unit Leader for Gilbane in Massachusetts. “Our experience as a leading builder of K-12 facilities on occupied campuses will ensure that community and student safety are never compromised.”

The Michael Driscoll Elementary School is slated for completion by the Fall of 2023, followed by demolition of the existing school and construction of new playfields to be completed by May 2024.

Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services — from pre-construction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build and facility management services — for clients across various markets. Founded in 1870 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 46 office locations worldwide.