Learning and Exploration Environment
A next-generation primary school supports military families with flexible spaces designed for collaboration, creativity, and connection to nature.
Hanscom Primary School
Hanscom Air Force Base, MA
Hanscom Primary School at Hanscom Air Force Base supports the children of military families through an educational approach grounded in adaptability, teamwork, and innovation. As part of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), the school advances DoDEA’s mission to deliver “21st Century Learning” environments that prepare students to think critically, solve problems, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
To achieve these goals, DoDEA required a school designed specifically for team teaching, project-based learning, and personal development. The design team created a building that supports both individual and group instruction with a layout that encourages interaction and shared experience across learning studios and common areas.
The building features visually and physically connected learning zones that foster a sense of community while supporting a variety of teaching styles. Smaller studios and larger collaborative spaces offer flexibility for changing curriculum needs. Each studio also opens to a dedicated natural ecosystem just outside its walls, enabling students to move easily between indoor and outdoor learning environments.
The result is a dynamic, student-centered school that reflects the values of DoDEA’s learning model—empowering children from military families to grow, explore, and thrive in a setting that feels both connected and intentional.
