PUTNEY SCHOOL DORMS & FACULTY RESIDENCES

This project was designed by Maclay Architects staff, who are now VIA employees. Construction was completed following their transition to VIA. We celebrate their work then and now!

At the core of Putney School’s mission is developing students who participate in the decisions – economic, social, political – that affect their lives. Students are taught to think critically and ask questions, but they must also physically engage in their community and environment; the Putney School is a working school where students help with farm work, do chores, and maintenance. The school aims to become a Net Zero campus as part of their commitment to environmental care-taking.

Maclay Architects kept all this in mind while developing two new dorm buildings for the campus, Gund House and Hepper House. Each building has 11 dorm rooms for a total of 22 students, and two separate faculty apartments. With very high performing envelopes, the buildings are Net-Zero ready with the addition of extra panels to the campus solar field. Solar panels on the roof cover the majority of the energy use, and a solar hot water heater alleviates some of the burden of teenage hot-water usage. Large triple-glazing everywhere creates an abundance of passive lighting. The buildings feature durable, non-toxic, and low embodied carbon materials. Where possible, they reference the Northeastern environment, with cedar siding on the exterior and maple detailing throughout the interior.

Many students at the Putney School are away from their families for the first time. Providing inviting spaces for community connection helps ease that transition. A large, double height common room forms the heart of each dorm, with a glulam bridge connecting the wings of the second floor. With these two dorms, Maclay Architects sought to create a home-like environment that is as beautiful as the surrounding woods and mountains.