Middleton, RI – St. George’s School approached Perry Dean Rogers to design an addition with the goal of providing students with a new library that will prepare them for college-style learning. The project was defined by this important mission, which translated into spaces programmed for active, collaborative learning rather than individual study.
The addition includes a new entrance and multi-purpose teaching space that reorients the Hill Library toward a student-centered hub which includes the Arts Building and the Student Center. The renovation opens up the interior with an open-plan service desk, group study rooms and light-filled, technology-rich learning spaces. A transparent, three-story volume is introduced, defining a new entry and bringing light down into the previously-dark basement. This new glass tower centralizes circulation with a new staircase, affords sweeping views of campus, and showcases the building’s hustle-bustle to those inside and outside. Suspended within this volume is a highly-visible, transparent group study room, which proclaims the building’s educational mission and also serves as a beacon of light from afar.
The renovation provides spaces for different types of academic study: library research, group collaborative study, and formal instruction. Students are able to choose spaces varying in scale and character to address their specific academic and social needs. Active learning and collaboration are celebrated when learning activities within are visible to passers-by, encouraging spontaneous interaction between students and faculty alike.
Be it the monumental reading room or small group study room, qualities shared are abundant natural light, flexible furnishings and transparency. The open plan is inviting and easy to navigate, with educational materials and spaces immediately visible and accessible. A central open-plan service desk, highly-visible entrances and circulation further underscore the spirit of openness and communication that embodies the school’s philosophy. Books are not kept separate from study: carrels are interspersed within high and low shelves to maintain sightlines and spatial connectivity.
Indoor environmental quality is improved by strategic demolition and enlarged existing openings aimed to increase natural light. A new skylight is introduced where the addition joins the existing building, and Solatubes bring in more natural light to the top floor stacks. Thermal performance of the existing exterior walls – made of brick construction – is greatly augmented with a new interior wall system filled with spray foam insulation.
Similarly, roof replacement with regional slate shingles allows insulation to be added, ensuring an overall weather-tightness of the exterior envelope. A rain garden forms a key component in the stormwater management system. Finally, mechanical systems were upgraded for optimized performance.
This project is targeting LEED Gold.
The addition includes a new entrance and multi-purpose teaching space that reorients the Hill Library toward a student-centered hub which includes the Arts Building and the Student Center. The renovation opens up the interior with an open-plan service desk, group study rooms and light-filled, technology-rich learning spaces. A transparent, three-story volume is introduced, defining a new entry and bringing light down into the previously-dark basement. This new glass tower centralizes circulation with a new staircase, affords sweeping views of campus, and showcases the building’s hustle-bustle to those inside and outside. Suspended within this volume is a highly-visible, transparent group study room, which proclaims the building’s educational mission and also serves as a beacon of light from afar.
The renovation provides spaces for different types of academic study: library research, group collaborative study, and formal instruction. Students are able to choose spaces varying in scale and character to address their specific academic and social needs. Active learning and collaboration are celebrated when learning activities within are visible to passers-by, encouraging spontaneous interaction between students and faculty alike.
Be it the monumental reading room or small group study room, qualities shared are abundant natural light, flexible furnishings and transparency. The open plan is inviting and easy to navigate, with educational materials and spaces immediately visible and accessible. A central open-plan service desk, highly-visible entrances and circulation further underscore the spirit of openness and communication that embodies the school’s philosophy. Books are not kept separate from study: carrels are interspersed within high and low shelves to maintain sightlines and spatial connectivity.
Indoor environmental quality is improved by strategic demolition and enlarged existing openings aimed to increase natural light. A new skylight is introduced where the addition joins the existing building, and Solatubes bring in more natural light to the top floor stacks. Thermal performance of the existing exterior walls – made of brick construction – is greatly augmented with a new interior wall system filled with spray foam insulation.
Similarly, roof replacement with regional slate shingles allows insulation to be added, ensuring an overall weather-tightness of the exterior envelope. A rain garden forms a key component in the stormwater management system. Finally, mechanical systems were upgraded for optimized performance.
This project is targeting LEED Gold.