A proposed K-5 elementary school situated due east of the Needham Heights district and honors a local resident and famed astronaut, Sunita L. Williams. The project underwent a series of feasibility studies where the team investigated multiple public and privately owned sites which could appropriately accommodate the building program, circulation, fire access, and recreational needs for students and staff.

The selected parcel abuts a pond and wetland area to the rear and was considered to be an asset instead of a hindrance. The resulting final site plan includes a science walking trail, sensory garden, and two outdoor teaching classrooms and amphitheater to create opportunity for the school’s curriculum to blend into the common areas. Three age appropriate playground areas, basketball courts, playground games, and a turf field are distributed throughout and allow the site to be used at different times by a variety of groups and students.