Campus Community Center

Ann Beha Architects and a dedicated team created common ground for St. Paul’s School. Balancing preservation with contemporary design, sustainability, and tradition, this 15,700-square-foot heritage building was re-imagined, confirming the school’s commitment to reuse of its existing resources. Two distinct levels are connected with a simple, clear design mixing old and new, joining the transformed basement with a revitalized historic main floor. Events, programs, activities, and school-wide collaboration make this the campus “it space,” reminding us that old and new can be more than the sum of their parts. The New Hampshire construction community and New England-fabricated wood furnishings showcase a home team effort!“Create — and celebrate — our community — and use what we have . .” The key question was “can this traditional, solid building become our common ground? Can it be a core of our community, a campus hearth, and welcome all? With a new entry, outdoor terrace, and café, this renewal and sustainable modernization re-purposes an early-20th-century 15,000square-foot historic structure. Welcoming all to programs, games, and resources, the design introduces natural light, envelope upgrades, and colorful interiors, with historic settings in concert with contemporary design. Located on daily travel paths, a new slate-clad entry vestibule opens from a terrace to a new stair, lit by a new double-height steel window.

Sustainability Statement: A response to the AIA Framework for Design Excellence