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Williamstown Youth Center

Williamstown, MA

A new state-of-the-art energy efficient place to come for after school sports, arts and recreation including a gymnasium, K/1 room, teen room, art room, game room, movement room and learning center. The building is situated on land adjacent to the elementary school, providing opportunities for complementary programs and space sharing. 
 
“The Commons” is a circulation hub, providing a central gathering space for interaction between parents, staff and students alike as they travel between program spaces.  Single level floor plan, interior glazing and space layout allows for supervision of all spaces by limited staff.

Family Center of Washington County

Montpelier, VT

This new building houses the child education program for about fifty children from infants to 5 years old.  The core of the building is an open living room, dining room, and kitchen, giving the building a home-like quality.  Classrooms are daylit with north windows and south facing clearstory windows.  Each classroom opens directly to a porch and playground.  Building efficiency techniques include a tight envelope and radiant heating.

North Branch Nature Center Addition and Renovation

Montpelier, VT

This 28 acre reserve and nature center is a thriving part of the Montpelier community.  The campus includes trails along the river, a “main house” classroom building, and educational/special events barn.  Black River Design assisted the Center with the design and construction of a multipurpose room addition and new entry as well as renovation of the existing house.  The expansion allows even more nature programming, from summer camps to winter lecture series.  

Montessori School of Central Vermont Renovation and Accessibility

Barre, Vermont

The new Montessori School of Central Vermont is designed to accommodate the Montessori educational philosophy, based on self reliance and constructive social interaction.

An existing windowless meeting hall was re-purposed as a preschool through grade 6 school.  In the new school naturally lit, child scaled, spaces foster a calm learning environment that supports the Montessori approach.  
The renovations included all new MEP systems, new interior layout and finishes, and accessibility upgrades including an elevator and classroom entry ramps. 
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