Following our work on the Warwick High School Master Planning process, Saam developed the design of Pilgrim High School based on the District’s goals for a 21st-Century Learning facility. Large common spaces, such as the dining and learning commons, are designed to be multifunctional and connect various activities visually, physically, horizontally, and vertically, reducing circulation and achieving a low grossing factor. The permeable school is designed to unify students, provide safety and security, and serve as an equitable platform to display the diverse educational and community activities occurring in and around the building. As part of the Educational Visioning process, the District articulated the desire to organize classrooms within small, non-departmentalized learning communities. This resulted in a design that encourages cross-curricular activity, collaboration, and hands-on learning. By integrating Career and Technical Education (CTE) and vocational/ technical with health, art, music, special education, and core academic classes, students are actively and passively introduced to multiple models of learning.

The double-height dining and learning commons are housed in the central spine, which also provides clear wayfinding and organizes the public vs private zones of the school. The learning community circulation is extended to provide both movement and gathering space, thereby maximizing the efficiency of the building. Administrative spaces are decentralized and located throughout the facility for optimized access and observation of learning and communal spaces. While the celebrated auditorium volume is public-facing adjacent to the main entrance, a direct axial connection was created from the center of the spine through the gymnasium to the exterior athletic stadium beyond. The modular approach to programming and design of the high school’s layout and building systems maximizes efficiency of the building and its life cycle begins with construction. Through simplified and standardized materiality, sustainability is highlighted, and maintenance and costs are reduced. The neutral tones on the exterior and interior are in reference to the spirit of the school, as a nod to the existing building and the school colors. Pilgrim High School is 206,000 square feet and serves 1,147 students.