center school

GRLA is partnering with the Town of Hopkinton to transform the beloved 1928 Center School into a welcoming, flexible, and future-ready civic hub for Parks & Recreation, Youth & Family Services, and community arts programming. Rooted in preservation and community purpose, the project revitalizes the historic structure while removing later additions that no longer serve the building or its users.

The design honors the school’s historic character—its prominent location on the Town Common, its original massing, and its iconic brick presence—while introducing a thoughtful new addition that improves accessibility, circulation, and the day-to-day experience of residents and staff. The renovation provides modern, functional interior layouts, enhanced daylighting, durable finishes, and intuitive wayfinding to support a wide range of municipal and community activities.

Hopkinton, MA
20,000 SF

Services
Architecture
Interiors

  • Inside, the design reorganizes and updates the former classroom wings, creating flexible program spaces, private counseling rooms, staff offices, community meeting areas, and a new accessible entrance sequence. GRLA’s Building Envelope Sciences team is leading the evaluation of the historic envelope, ensuring long-term durability, energy performance, and compatibility between original materials and new systems.

    The project also establishes a plan for future expansion, including a rear-entry lobby and site design that can accommodate additional growth as community needs evolve. A clear, coordinated schedule guides the project through field assessment, design development, and permitting.

    With deep roots in Hopkinton and extensive experience in historic, municipal, and community-focused design, GRLA is committed to delivering a Center School that is beautiful, highly functional, historically respectful, and built to serve generations to come.