Tilton Academic Building

Tilton, New Hampshire

The Tilton Schools goal was to create an academic building that would transform the way the school thought about itself. Having spent seven years strengthening their curriculum, faculty, and Board of Trustees, the School was anxious to build a building that represented in physical form the many positive changes that had happened internally. To respond to this challenge, we designed a new multi-purpose academic building that organized the schools program requirements to closely align with their academic mission.

The program included three new science laboratories and prep rooms, a seminar room capable of seating 114, the Center for Learning resource center, the language laboratory, eight new classrooms, faculty offices, and administrative offices. To reflect the Schools new academic model of horizontal integration, departmental classrooms and programs were located in close proximity to their companion classrooms and programs. Faculty offices and meeting rooms were merged to encourage closer collaboration and cross-disciplinary teaching. Departments that worked closely together, such as math and science, were located next to one another, sharing classrooms, workspaces, faculty offices and conference areas. To reflect the Schools commitment to the academic model of vertical integration, a dramatic, central atrium space, Tower Hall, was designed in the center of the combined academic building complex. This space visually and physically connects all the academic and administrative spaces to each other vertically, and provides stunning views of the campus and academic quadrangle for everyone passing through the building.

The exterior of the building was designed with strong references to the great academic and mill buildings of northern New England. It is built of rugged, ageless materials: brick, granite, white oak, and glass, so it will be an inspiration for generations of Tilton students to come. The new building is connected to the current administrative and academic building, Plimpton Hall, at the northeast corner. The two buildings create a unified academic/administrative complex and a clear definition for the new Academic Quadrangle.

Awards

2009 AIANH
2008 Gold Citation, American School & University Educational Interiors Awards Program

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Photo Credit: Justin Van Soest