Josiah Quincy Upper School Wins 2025 Green Building of the Year and Awarded the People's Choice Award

BOSTON - DECEMBER 4, 2025 — Today, Boston Public Schools announced that the Josiah Quincy Upper School (JQUS) has been named Green Building of the Year and awarded the People's Choice Award at the 2025 Green Building Showcase, hosted by Built Environment Plus. These honors come as the school also recently achieved LEED Platinum certification, making it only the second Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) funded school in the state to reach this distinction and one of only eight schools nationwide to be certified LEED v4.1 Platinum. The 178,000-square-foot JQUS, designed by HMFH Architects, opened for the 2024-2025 school year to serve 650 students in grades 6–12 and has set a new standard for what's possible in urban public school buildings.

“Being recognized as Green Building of the Year affirms our commitment to delivering school environments that are as forward-thinking as our students,” said Katherine Walsh, Director of Planning, Engineering, Sustainability & Environment at Boston Public Schools. “From all-electric systems to improved air quality and outdoor learning spaces, JQUS demonstrates how sustainable design directly supports health, learning, and community resilience. We are proud that this building sets a new standard for what the future of public education facilities in Boston can and should be.”

Photo: (©Ed Wonsek)

JQUS offers comprehensive sustainability features to promote energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and resilient infrastructure. The building is constructed with highly insulated walls, windows, and a roof to maximize energy efficiency, while heat pumps power all-electric heating, cooling, and ventilation. Rooftop fresh-air intakes draw cleaner air, complementing advanced indoor air quality systems that include enhanced filtration and a displacement air system to reduce the spread of contaminants. Mechanical systems are strategically located above the first floor to protect critical equipment from potential flooding. 

“We are incredibly proud to see Josiah Quincy Upper School recognized on a national stage.This award is a testament to the years of collaboration, problem-solving, and community partnership that brought this building to life,” said Deputy Executive Director Jay Rohn MacNulty. “From day one, our team set out to deliver a school that met the highest standards of sustainability, resilience, and student-focused design. Seeing JQUS honored as Green Building of the Year affirms that when we invest in thoughtful, high-performing school facilities, we invest directly in the success and well-being of Boston’s students and families.”

Photo: (©Ed Wonsek)

Classrooms are thoughtfully oriented to optimize natural light, providing well-lit learning environments in both north- and south-facing spaces. Additionally, the school features rooftop gardens and outdoor educational areas, including walking paths, outdoor classrooms, and tranquil green spaces, creating opportunities for experiential learning.

“Receiving these awards is a satisfying recognition of the effort and dedication of the whole project team to maximize the positive impact of a new school on the JQUS community, Chinatown, and the City overall,” said Associate Principal and Stockholder Matt LaRue, HMFH Architects. “This project immeasurably improves the daily experience for so many students, faculty members, and neighbors, helping BPS to define a model for a new generation of sustainable and inspiring school facilities, all while using its high-profile position in the cityscape to publicly broadcast that ambition.”

Photo: (©Ed Wonsek)

The facility’s innovative design is part of the City of Boston's Green New Deal for Boston Public Schools, a citywide effort to modernize school buildings and create healthy, community-centered learning environments, and also a significant project within the Boston Public Schools Long-Term Facilities Plan (LTFP), the district's roadmap for creating modern, climate-resilient, and equitable school buildings across the city. 

“The true power of this recognition comes from the shared belief that our children deserve the very best learning environments,” said Daphne Germain, Senior Project Manager of Capital Planning at Boston Public Schools. “That belief guided every decision throughout the design and construction of the Josiah Quincy Upper School. Our team, alongside our City and community partners, proved what is possible when we work with purpose and refuse to settle for less. This award is a testament to what collaboration, creativity, and commitment can achieve, and we are honored to have this work recognized by leaders across the industry.”

Photo: (©Ed Wonsek)

The school's design was shaped through extensive engagement with families, students, and Chinatown community leaders, ensuring that the building reflects the neighborhood's identity, needs, and cultural richness. In addition the school has expanded its academic and extracurricular offerings to better serve student interests and needs, including the addition of a Multiple Disabilities (MD) strand, an expanded Theatre Arts program, increased after-school clubs, and new International Baccalaureate courses in Food Science and Robotics.

“This award is a celebration of our entire community, our students, families, educators, and neighbors, who helped shape a school that reflects Chinatown and the broader JQUS community,” said Principal Richard Chang, Josiah Quincy Upper School. “Our new building allows our students to imagine new possibilities for themselves through collaborative learning and community-centered spaces. Receiving the Green Building of the Year award exemplifies what thoughtful, student-driven design can achieve.”

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