Gale Associates, Inc., a consulting engineering firm, announce the completion of the comprehensive building enclosure renovation of the iconic Josiah Quincy Elementary School, which occupies a full block in Boston’s Chinatown. Gale was selected by the Boston Public Facilities Department as the lead design consultant to evaluate the building enclosure and develop a detailed plan and construction budget for renovation.

Gale's Building Enclosure Consulting Group, supported by the firm’s in-house structural and civil engineers, designed and managed the multi-phase construction project to modernize the school’s aging enclosure systems and assemblies and extend their service life. Based on Gale’s building enclosure evaluation, the first phase of this multi-year project included the design and replacement of the roofs and plaza systems, installation of new windows and doors, facade repairs, and new pedestrian coatings. 

Gale has a long-standing relationship with Josiah Quincy Elementary, having completed the school’s last roof replacement in 1995. Designed by The Architects Collaborative in 1974, the Josiah Quincy Elementary School is built of poured concrete and split-face concrete masonry unit (CMU) veneer, with precast and cast-in-place concrete elements accented by bright yellow pipe rails and decorative porcelain enamel panels featuring children's artwork across the upper facade and complemented by orange-painted window and door assemblies. 

Image courtesy of Gale Associates, Inc.

The school’s open-plan layout is structured around the media center, with multiple outdoor plaza roof areas—terraced on different levels—used by both students and the surrounding community. Phase 1 construction began in 2021 with removal of the existing roof. Gale designed a new roof system featuring a multi-ply roof membrane and a pedestal system supporting concrete, rubber, and turf pavers. 

In 2022, Gale designed the replacement of existing windows and doors and completed facade repairs. Several new plaza color schemes were developed to enhance outdoor learning spaces and play areas. The roof plaza also includes numerous cast-in-place concrete planters that required waterproofing to complete the building enclosure. Construction was completed in summer 2025, in time for the new school year.

The Josiah Quincy School students and the surrounding Chinatown community are thriving in their updated, revitalized space.