BLACK RIVER DESIGN ARCHITECTS

Elementary School Renovations and Addition

St. Johnsbury, VT

Black River Design designed Renovations and Additions to a 1930’s trade school, to create a new K through 8.  The new school design is organized into academic clusters that share common facilities.  A glazed circulation spine functions like an interior street, and allows daylight and visual communication to pass from floor to floor.  The core, containing shared facilities, including a new theater/ auditorium, can also be used by the community without causing disruption of school function and security.  A new entryway and improved vehicular and pedestrian site circulation accompanied the renovations.  Black River Design employed a transitional modern architecture that blends easily with the Art Deco/Moderne design of the original structure.  Most recently, BRD helped the school improve security by reconfiguring the entryway and cafeteria.  A new biomass building was also constructed.