K-12 Public Schools

Needham High School Cafeteria Expansion

Needham, MA

In 2010 a large new addition, including a kitchen and cafeteria with seating for 400 was attached to the Needham High School. The combination of building, parking and athletic fields essentially filled the site precluding large future additions. However, enrollment at the school continued to increase, support spaces were converted to teaching spaces, cafeteria seating was no longer adequate and a need for a large space to accommodate a variety of large group workshops, seminars and presentations materialized.

Limited available town funding led to a decision to provide a modest 2,000 SF addition to the cafeteria to create an 8,000 SF multiuse space. Included in the budget was a motorized acoustical partition to subdivide the space, blackout window shades and an integrated, centrally controlled system of projection screens, projectors, tv monitors and audio speakers for the entire space. Furniture was purchased to support cafeteria seating, seminars, lectures, small group activities and presentations for as many as 700 participants. The close proximity to parking, bus drop-off, an outside entry and adjacent toilet spaces permit usage of the space after-hours and on weekends, independent of the remainder of the school.