Client:
East Maine School District 63

Gemini Jr. High School becomes Gemini Middle School

After more than a year of visioning and planning with a diverse group of stakeholders (including students, teachers, and administrators), the existing Gemini Junior High School underwent a transformation to become a Middle School.

Creating a middle school teaching model out of a 7th – 8th Grade Junior High School created many challenges. How to add the classrooms needed to house sixth grade and create the flexible and collaborative spaces for students and teachers to support a middle school educational model in a building that was already full? How to expand commonly used spaces by all three grades such as the cafeteria, physical education, and performance spaces on a landlocked site?

The Hangout Space is perfect for independent, introspective work. Flexible furnishings and writeable walls open it to group work as well.
The objective for this change was to strategically and deliberately focus on preteens in order to meet their specific academic, emotional, social, and physical needs.
Learning spills into the hallways where meter lines decorate the hallway carpet.
Adjacent Student/Teacher Conference Rooms not only provide quiet, small group spaces but also provide a space for student services in each team area.
The huge skylight in the Hangout Space floods the interior with daylight. Windows to adjacent classrooms borrow this light and offer views.

Over 45,000 square feet was remodeled to align with the new curriculum. Additions of more than 60,000 square feet allowed the school to increase enrollment from 600 to more than 1,000 students.

  • The resulting Middle School is organized in Teams, or “neighborhoods,” served by collaborative teams of educators. Clusters of Learning Studios, Learning Labs, a Teacher Collaboration Office, and Small Group Collaboration spaces radiate from Learning Hubs. The Learning Hubs are the heart of each Team’s neighborhood and transform common space into open workspaces where multiple classes of students can gather, or students can work independently. Learning Hubs invite student engagement and create more opportunities for team teaching. They offer access to technology and varied seating choices.
  • The Commons/Hang Out Space is an informal workspace that creates community between students from different neighborhoods. It is perfect for independent, introspective work. Flexible furnishings and writeable walls open it to group work as well.
  • Large groups gather at the Learning Stair. Located off the cafeteria, students seek it out. Students can have their lunch on the steps or gather to watch a presentation or a movie. The adjacent mezzanine features flexible seating for both small group and introspective work and is the go-to place for afterschool club meetings.
  • The Library and Cafeteria were expanded.
  • To encourage student health and well-being, there is an upgraded Fitness Center.
  • Music and performance groups are brought together in an Instrumental Music Suite. Here the design features optimal acoustics to prevent interruption of other classes.
  • Students interested in the performing arts have the opportunity to further learn their craft in a theater-like Multi-Purpose Room with stage.
  • The administration area moved from the second floor to the first floor, providing a more secure and accessible visitor check in.
  • Parking was increased and vehicle circulation around the site was improved to ease congestion.
Learning Hubs are the heart of each neighborhood and transform common space into flexible, open workspaces.
Next to the cafeteria, the Learning Stair invites students to gather for lunch or to watch a presentation or movie. Courtyard access now makes outdoor dining or classes an option.
The adjacent mezzanine bridges the lively and active area of the Cafeteria and Learning Stair into the quiet Library/Information Center.
During a performance, gym paraphernalia like mats can be hidden above-head with an integrated hoist storage system that reduces the amount of storage square footage required.
To encourage global thinking and celebrate the diversity of the student body, clocks punctuate a time zone mural.
The new Auxiliary Gym/Multi-Purpose Room is flexible by design. It provides much needed space for 6th grade physical education. The stage and sound system expand the performing arts program. It’s further enhanced with pull down seating (not bleachers) and well-designed acoustics.
The use of color combined with the comfortable, flexible furniture create an age-appropriate environment that hints at a professional work environment.
Music and performance groups are brought together in an Instrumental Music Suite. Here the design features optimal acoustics to prevent interruption of other classes.
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