Learning Ready for Net Zero
A phased renovation and addition transforms a modernist K–8 campus into a sustainable, future-ready learning environment.
Ballfield Road Campus
Lincoln, MA
The Lincoln Public Schools’ Ballfield Road Campus, home to approximately 650 K–8 students, has long been a central hub for learning and community life. Originally built between 1948 and 1994, the campus is known for its early modernist architecture and beloved outdoor commons. While the existing facility held significant historical and cultural value, it no longer met the district or town’s academic and environmental goals.
To preserve the campus’s character while meeting the needs of a 21st-century curriculum, the district launched a comprehensive 165,000-square-foot renovation and addition. Developed in collaboration with educators, local leaders, and the wider community, the project supports project-based learning, student collaboration, and sustainability across all phases of the design.
The plan retains and renovates many existing classrooms while introducing new flexible learning spaces. The new construction reflects the original modernist campus’s clean lines and proportional clarity, creating a cohesive architectural language. Renovated areas incorporate high-performance systems, including super-insulated envelopes, triple-glazed windows, energy-efficient HVAC systems, and plug-load controls.
With a Net Zero–ready design, the campus now serves as a model of sustainability and educational excellence—delivering a high-impact learning environment that respects the past while preparing students for the future.
