Early Learning & Community Center. Epiphany School

Founded in 1997, Epiphany is a full-service school for children of economically-disadvantaged families in Boston, combining strong academics with personal support. Epiphany serves approximately 90 students in grades 5-8, empowers hundreds of young adults in their Graduate Support Program, and employes several Teaching Fellows.

Looking to expand their campus and grow their program, Epiphany purchased a nearby property with a historically significant building: the former Industrial School for Girls built in 1859. While working closely

with the Boston Landmarks Commission and the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA), studioMLA Architects renovated this historic brick building into housing for 25 Teaching Fellows and employees.

A new adjacent building compliments it while harmonizing with the surrounding residential neighborhood. This was achieved by designing a sensitive courtyard entry, maintaining viewshed, and ensuring compatibility with new and historic architecture. The new building features a new Reggio-Emilia-inspired Early Learning Center for approximately 65 children and space for Epiphany’s Graduate Support Center where teens and young adults can do homework and speak with college and career counselors. It also includes a half-court gym, workout room, teaching kitchen, laundry facilities, housing for 12 additional Teaching Fellows, and a teaching greenhouse. The site provides meeting rooms and flexible workspace for key program partners such as Codman Square Health Center and Room to Grow.

studioMLA Architects worked with Epiphany to test out dozens of site configurations in order to meet the diverse criteria of the program, the neighbors, the Boston Landmarks Commission, and the BPDA. Evaluating advantages and disadvantages of different site options and weighing their impact on cost and schedule was important to the ultimate success of the project.

Services Provided

Architectural and landscape design of indoor and outdoor environments; full design services from Programming through Construction Administration.

*Project completed as studioMLA Architects prior to acquisition by Ashley McGraw Architects