Completed in time for the 2006 academic year, the new John C. Daniels School provides PreK-8th grade students with a new school building in an area of New Haven that has a diverse mix of institutional, commercial and residential use. A key goal in the design of the school was to provide a secure yet child-friendly environment for the students in the midst of its urban setting.
Designed to provide for 650 students, the new John C. Daniels School building rises two stories and includes classrooms, a library, a full size gymnasium, as well as specialty art and science facilities. A large cafeteria / choral space includes a moveable wall, providing the ability to create two separate rooms when needed. This flexible space is available for use by the surrounding community for large gatherings and functions.
The building's siting along the east/west axis minimizes solar heat gain via overhangs and treated glass, as well as maximizes light into classrooms and corridors. The protective masonry fade wraps around an interior glass-enclosed courtyard, the visual and acting "focal point" of the school that serves both educational and recreational activities.