PEABODY — The team that will help shape the future of Peabody Veterans Memorial High School is now in place.
Following presentations from HMFH Architects and Kaestle Boos Associates, the two finalists, the designer selection panel voted 23-16 to recommend HMFH as the project’s designer on Tuesday morning. The recommendation will now be forwarded to the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s executive director for final approval before the design process officially begins.
The Cambridge-based, woman-owned firm has spent more than 55 years specializing in educational design. During its presentation, HMFH highlighted its experience designing more than 175 schools across New England, including 24 completed under MSBA guidelines and 62 on occupied sites — important statistics given the new PVMHS will be built while the existing high school remains in use.
Additionally, the firm has earned national recognition for its sustainable school design. Seven HMFH-designed schools have received LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, a designation recognizing high standards in energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and healthy living environments, with each earning a perfect score for design innovation.
Project Director Lori Cowles added that HMFH also designed the first — and, to date, only — three LEED Platinum-certified schools funded through the MSBA, reflecting the firm’s emphasis on creating sustainable schools without sacrificing affordability.
HMFH also emphasized that its core project team lives within 15 miles of Peabody and is ready to begin work immediately. Cowles noted the firm’s approach centers on understanding the community before designing a building.
“We know first and foremost a high school building is for the students, but it really is much, much more than that,” Cowles said during the presentation. “It is going to serve as your theater venue and your sports venue and open its doors for the public.”
Community engagement emerged as one of the firm’s central pillars. Cowles said HMFH’s philosophy is to be “transparent and present” throughout the process.
That approach resonated with several members of the selection panel.
School Committee member Beverley Griffin Dunne said she appreciated HMFH’s vision of making the school a community hub and its commitment to extensive public outreach. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Josh Vadala called both finalists “excellent,” but said HMFH’s responsiveness and proximity made for “a great partnership.” Mayor Ted Bettencourt also said he was leaning toward HMFH.
After the meeting, Bettencourt said he believes the city has assembled the right team for what will be one of Peabody’s largest capital projects.
“I’m really excited to bring HMFH on board,” Bettencourt said. “Their background, extensive experience, and passion to partner with us on this project was clearly evident during the presentation. We’re assembling a great team for this historic project, and I’m looking forward to the next steps.”
Cowles shared her excitement after HMFH was picked.
“We’re thrilled,” she said. “We’re really looking forward to meeting with the educators, working with the school building committee, and really solving how best to create the new school building.”
PMA Consultants, the owner’s project manager chosen for the project earlier this year, has worked alongside HMFH for nearly two decades. Senior Director Joe DeSantis said the firms have partnered on numerous MSBA school projects over the years, including Saugus Middle High School.
“They are a fantastic team, a top-notch firm, especially in the MSBA K-12 field. … They are fantastic at community outreach and designing from the inside out — which is what we’re supposed to do in the MSBA process: start with the education and build the building from the inside out,” DeSantis said.
He said HMFH’s creativity, experience, and familiarity with the MSBA process made the firm a “great fit.”
