Southside Elementary

Eliot Noyes

1969

Southside Elementary exemplifies Brutalist architecture with its bold pre-cast and reinforced concrete walls left in their raw state. Noyes emphasized energy efficiency and minimized maintenance, balancing the stark material palette with warm oak interiors, carpeting, and abundant natural light. A skylit central commons serves as the school’s “town square,” animated by colorful murals from artist Ivan Chermayeff. Originally an intermediate school, the building was converted to an elementary school in 1983.