HMFH worked closely with the MATCH Charter Public School to create appropriate space for its innovative educational program. Intended to serve a self-selected group of high school students from Boston, the MATCH School mission is to use media and technology not for vocational education, but to facilitate instruction of the basics and actively engage college-bound students in their education.
The school occupies a 20th Century landmark along Commonwealth Avenue’s former “automile.” Known as the Ellis-the-Rim-Man building, the three-story structure was built in 1917 as a showroom for the Lincoln Motorcar Company. Decorative columns and a grand marble stair with iron grillwork were restored and incorporated into the school-wide assembly space. This multi-purpose space, with views of Commonwealth Avenue, can be darkened for performances and also serves as a dining area and study space. The renovated building incorporates various green design measures, including extensive daylighting and a photovoltaic system, which received grant funding from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
In addition to the large assembly space, the MATCH School has nine general classrooms, a computer lab, a media center, and small break-out spaces to accommodate the school’s morning advisory sessions. A later interior fitout of the top floor houses a 43-bed dormitory with common cooking, social and recreational space for college-aged MATCH Corps tutors.