New Haven Public Schools
King / Robinson Magnet School
New Haven, Connecticut

98,400 SF • 9,142 SQ M

This school provides much needed space and facilities for this 650-student K-8 magnet school, previously located in an unfriendly concrete structure. Located in a large, park-like setting created through the demolition of the old school, the new building harmonizes with the scale of the surrounding residential neighborhood and improves the community’s connection with the park. The 98,400 sf school is built into the hillside, decreasing the scale on the side that faces the residential neighborhood. The park and playing fields create the foreground and the neighborhood vistas previously blocked by the old school are restored.

The existing school, at the center of the site, remained operational throughout the construction of the new building, limiting the placement and orientation of the new school. The school program includes classrooms; library; media/conference center; art, music and science rooms; special education classrooms; language and computer training facilities; gymnasium; cafeteria and kitchen; stage and orchestra room; and administrative spaces. The building features components that increase the school’s capabilities, such as an outdoor stage, a panelized wall system between the cafeteria and auditorium spaces that can be opened to reconfigure the space into a multi-purpose community auditorium, and a mezzanine stage in the gym further increases performance and meeting capabilities.

Adhering to state energy guidelines, sustainable design features are incorporated, such as perforated metal sunshades; fritted, Low-E glass; and energy efficient roof and wall systems.

(Photography by Elliott Kaufman)