Abstract

In many small towns, there are little to no places for gathering and community to exist except for an often community central location of their school, even though the schools become a community hub they are not immune to the effects of the outside world, and with a population decline trend, they face the threat of becoming closed from low enrollment and inefficient use. There could, however, potentially be a different solution other than consolidation, partial adaptive reuse. By analyzing input from those who would be affected by the school closure, analyzing previous closure and their effect on the smaller town, as well as the potential cost and sustainable implications, the findings could conclude if partial consolidation and adding community use onto the school could allow the schools to maintain their historical significance as the center of the community.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Rural schools--Remodeling for other use; Community centers--Design and construction; Sustainable architecture

Publication Date

5-1-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Architecture (M.Arch.)

Department, Program, or Center

Architecture, Department of

College

Golisano Institute for Sustainability

Advisor

Julius J. Chiavaroli

Advisor/Committee Member

Seth H. Holmes

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

ARCH-MARCH

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