— Et Cetera
in design, institutional, pro bono, prefab

A New Arts Center for The White Mountain School

We’ve been hard at work on the design of a new art studio building for The White Mountain School in Bethlehem, NH, this winter and are happy to be able to share the new design with you. We previously mentioned WMS in the context of the master planning we’ve been doing for them (click here), and this new project has been #1 on WMS’ to-do list for years, so we are proud to be a part of bringing their dreams to reality.

The new 5000 SF building will consolidate its existing arts programs into a single structure at the front of the school and facing out to the magnificent White Mountains. It will house two dance studios, a music studio with recording/mixing control room, and an art studio with direct access to outside painting/drawing space as well as the School’s Raku kiln. WMS has had a strong reputation in the arts since its founding in 1886, but these new facilities will certainly strengthen the school’s arts program even further.

An integral component of the School’s Mission as well as its curriculum is sustainability, and it was incumbent upon us to not only design a cost effective building, but also one that is carefully integrated with its setting, super-energy-efficient, and as carbon neutral and generally sustainable as possible.  For example, the simple shed roof is designed not only to appear to reach out to the White Mountains beyond, but also to support rooftop photovoltaic panels that will be able to power and heat the entire building, the goal being to achieve “net-zero” status annually.

We have also worked diligently to integrate the building and its site, the original property having been designed by the renowned Olmsted Brothers between 1919 and 1938. The proposed building is oriented along the main existing campus axis on a downward sloping site and will one day be aligned with a future theater that is another important component of our master plan. The building’s compact footprint allowed us to create an outdoor amphitheater on the south side facing the future main theater, and outdoor extensions of the dance and art studios on the east and west sides.

We have engaged the renowned design/build prefabrication company, Bensonwood, to fast-track the construction documents / engineering as well as to be the prefabricator and general contractor. The construction of the Art Center is planned to begin in June and the opening date is scheduled for late 2013. The new arts center will be named in honor of Catherine T. Houghton, a graduate of the school as well as a beloved recent trustee who played a leadership role in moving the arts center towards reality.

Check back for construction updates!

 

One of the most prominent features of the new arts center will be its “Arts Bridge” that not only connects the new studios to an existing campus path but also provides outside painting and drawing space and can function as a balcony for an adjacent amphitheater.
One of the most prominent features of the new arts center will be its “Arts Bridge” that not only connects the new studios to an existing campus path but also provides outside painting and drawing space and can function as a balcony for an adjacent amphitheater.
An existing campus path, defined along one of Olmsted’s original stone retaining walls, leads to the Arts Bridge beyond, which in turn leads to the upper level studio spaces.
An existing campus path, defined along one of Olmsted’s original stone retaining walls, leads to the Arts Bridge beyond, which in turn leads to the upper level studio spaces.
The façade facing the mountains features an oversized window wall which maximizes views as well as soft natural light. The syncopated rhythm of structural columns and asymmetrically placed windows balance and add life to the otherwise simple form. Within this rhythmic grid we have designed a floating volume that further enlivens the façade and also allows for a large window seat in the music studio and faculty office. This dynamic architectural expression expresses and enhances the restless, dynamic and questioning forces interacting behind the arts center’s walls!
The façade facing the mountains features an oversized window wall which maximizes views as well as soft natural light. The syncopated rhythm of structural columns and asymmetrically placed windows balance and add life to the otherwise simple form. Within this rhythmic grid we have designed a floating volume that further enlivens the façade and also allows for a large window seat in the music studio and faculty office. This dynamic architectural expression expresses and enhances the restless, dynamic and questioning forces interacting behind the arts center’s walls!
In the evening, the new arts center will be a beacon for the arts, clearly expressing the students’ artistic energies.
In the evening, the new arts center will be a beacon for the arts, clearly expressing the students’ artistic energies.
The Northwest side of the new arts center includes an entrance to the lower level dance studios with direct access to the drop-off and parking area and the new amphitheater.
The Northwest side of the new arts center includes an entrance to the lower level dance studios with direct access to the drop-off and parking area and the new amphitheater.
The amphitheater’s stage is located at the south end of the building and covered by a deep overhang; directly up the hill will one day be a new theater building. At the right is the Arts Bridge, which doubles as a balcony. The back wall of the stage is conceived as a grid of translucent polycarbonate panels that can be back lit at night to add a character to evening performances.
The amphitheater’s stage is located at the south end of the building and covered by a deep overhang; directly up the hill will one day be a new theater building. At the right is the Arts Bridge, which doubles as a balcony. The back wall of the stage is conceived as a grid of translucent polycarbonate panels that can be back lit at night to add a character to evening performances.
This view down to the new arts center from WMS’ main academic building shows that even the roof – the arts center’s 5th façade – is an integral component of its design; the reflectivity of the photovoltaics was thought of as a virtual “pond” when viewed from above.
This view down to the new arts center from WMS’ main academic building shows that even the roof – the arts center’s 5th façade – is an integral component of its design; the reflectivity of the photovoltaics was thought of as a virtual “pond” when viewed from above.
The new Arts Center (far right) as seen from above within its campus setting.
The new Arts Center (far right) as seen from above within its campus setting.