Embodying the Spirit of a Quintessential Shoreline Community

Neck River Elementary School

Madison, Connecticut

Tecton partnered with Madison Public Schools to design a new 87,000 SF PreK–5 elementary school on a previously undeveloped town property. The compact, efficient footprint responds to the natural topography, celebrating the wooded site while creating meaningful opportunities for outdoor learning. At the heart of the school, a centrally located Media Center serves as a hub for interdisciplinary education and social engagement across all grades. Special education, break-out, and intervention spaces are thoughtfully placed and fully integrated into the learning community, while clear circulation and neighborhood-inspired graphics simplify wayfinding and reinforce Madison’s town character. Designed for long-term efficiency and sustainability, the building operates without on-site fossil fuels, utilizing geothermal energy and enhanced building envelope performance to achieve an EUI under 25. With the incorporation of rooftop photovoltaics, the building will achieve a Net-Zero energy balance.