“Architecture is reaching out for the truth” according to Louis Kahn. Finding the “truth” is the journey down a path that can sometimes be bumpy. The collaborative design process we embrace at Banwell makes that journey more exciting and smoother. When embarking on the Golden Brook Elementary School expansion project this past summer, it seemed relatively straightforward. The client gave us the program of space needs and told us their building requirements. Then they did something leaders do, they looked deeper. They looked for “the truth”.
The questions:
- Is the program appropriate to promote great learning environments for our children?
- Why and how are the schools overcrowded?
- What cost effective steps can be taken to improve the way our schools work?
In a sincere, honest and collaborative team effort, the consultants and client reviewed and refined the design requirements or program. Before deciding on a final design option, we examined eight different versions which considered new buildings or alterations for four different buildings on three different sites.
With a sympathetic expression, a parent turned to me after one particular meeting and apologized for all the different designs I had to do for this school project. We had just finished reviewing of the sixth design option at a School Board meeting that extended late into the evening. The Board had requested another design option be explored and she was expecting me to be discouraged and exasperated. I think she was a little surprised by my cheerful reaction, “this is part of the design process and we love doing it” I said.
To get to this point, we met with all of the stakeholders, including all the educators, administrative, nutritional and custodial staff, asked a lot of questions and did a lot of listening. They provided us with important insight into what their needs and wants were. What attributes of the existing buildings needed to be retained and what is not working. The listening didn’t stop there. Throughout public meetings, we gathered further insight from a broad spectrum of town citizens.
The project soon took on a wider, more in depth challenge. Evaluate the program with the SAU administration and look at the impact the design will have on all the lower grade schools. We felt fortunate that the School Board, Building and Grounds Committee and Administration embraced the “discovery” aspects to designing an appropriate building.
The School Board approved design is an improvement on the initially proposed option. It is better because all voices were heard and considered. Windham has utilized Banwell Architects as trusted advisors to guide them through the design process as collaborative partners. This very constructive process brings out the most client responsive designs and I feel very lucky and grateful to have been part of it.
At Banwell, we love good design, we love searching for the truth and we love the journey that brings us there in partnership with our clients.
Written by Bradford Prescott, Architect
