Boston – The new high-rise Josiah Quincy Upper School (JQUS), designed by HMFH Architects for the City of Boston, welcomed 650 students in grades 6-12 as it opens its doors for the 2024-2025 school year.
Located on a tight one-acre site in Chinatown near two major highways, the new school’s design strategically prioritizes student well-being. Atop the all-electric building is a rooftop space designed with STEM classrooms, gardens, walking paths, and spaces for mindful contemplation among views of the Boston skyline and native plant species. On the inside of the building, south-facing classrooms with expansive windows are designed to deliver ample daylight and create a connection to nature. The HVAC system draws in filtered air, designed to ensure a healthy interior environment with optimal air quality in all classrooms.
Josiah Quincy Upper School
At the heart of the school stands a vertical circulation core that links the building’s public-facing spaces with multiple academic floors, each outfitted with a central collaborative project area. Combined with modern labs, small group workrooms, and breakout areas, the new JQUS classrooms accommodate a variety of learning modes with flexible furniture.
The middle high school will be a resource for the greater community as well as its student body, allowing public access to shared spaces including the cafeteria, media center, gymnasium, and auditorium. The project is on track to achieve LEED Gold certification and is one of the first projects to open under the Green New Deal for Boston Public Schools.
Accessible rooftop
JQUS was designed for the City of Boston with funding from the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Turner Construction is the construction manager and Skanska USA Building is the owner’s project manager.
