East End Community School

Portland, Maine
450 students	grades K-5
70,000 sf new	Completed 2000

For Portland’s first new school in over 30 years, the educational program specified three 150- student, two-story “houses” in which students remain for grades K-5. The plans included meeting rooms, large gym, cafeteria, and a branch public library for community use.

The entrance and classroom wings face south and provide protected outdoor play areas. The spine connecting the classroom wings provides access to special program spaces, with windows opening over a vegetated roof. The facets of the community wing step around the hill providing extraordinary views; massing hugs the site, reinforcing the topography.

The interior presents a combination of vibrant colors; distinctive floor patterns are color coded by wing. Ground-faced concrete block wainscoting provides a handsome, low -maintenance surface. The exterior’s masonry stripes, wave-like window patterns, and ever-changing silver metallic siding together activate the amazing site.

Certified LEED Silver.

Photos: Dan Gair/Blind Dog Photo