— Et Cetera
institutional, prefab, pro bono, in construction

A New Arts Center for The White Mountain School

A lot of progress has been made since our last blog post on the new art studio building we designed for The White Mountain School in Bethlehem, NH. General contractor and prefabricator Bensonwood Construction Company produced all of the Permit-related architectural and engineering drawings for us, and prefabricated most of the building panels and components in their factory in Walpole, NH, while at the same time excavating and building the foundation. Once the foundation was ready, the building components were delivered to the site and the entire structure was erected in just 4 days! The school had a dedication ceremony a day after the last panel was set, to honor a beloved graduate and trustee, Catherine T. Houghton, for whom the arts center will be named. Construction is due to be completed before the new year. Amazing…

Check back for a new update soon!

 

Given that this is northern New Hampshire, we knew we would be in for ledge, but the extent caught us all off guard. One boulder was 10’x6’.
Given that this is northern New Hampshire, we knew we would be in for ledge, but the extent caught us all off guard. One boulder was 10’x6’.
Fortunately, we had planned on a basement only below about a third of the structure, so the rest of the foundation work went along smoothly.
Fortunately, we had planned on a basement only below about a third of the structure, so the rest of the foundation work went along smoothly.
Although not part of our original design, we’re impressed by the 36” diameter tree trunk that Bensonwood hand selected for the corner of an outdoor “stage”. The tree was sourced nearby.
Although not part of our original design, we’re impressed by the 36” diameter tree trunk that Bensonwood hand selected for the corner of an outdoor “stage”. The tree was sourced nearby.
Bensonwood also prefabricated a custom laminated wood curtain wall for one wall of the new arts center. The craftsmanship is remarkable, but the secret is the computerized milling.
Bensonwood also prefabricated a custom laminated wood curtain wall for one wall of the new arts center. The craftsmanship is remarkable, but the secret is the computerized milling.
Day 1: Modules arrive, shrink wrapped in case of rain but otherwise ready to be craned into place by Bensonwood’s crew.
Day 1: Modules arrive, shrink wrapped in case of rain but otherwise ready to be craned into place by Bensonwood’s crew.
Day 2: The first floor goes up without a hitch, along with the custom curtain wall. We’re told that a rubber mallet was seen on site.
Day 2: The first floor goes up without a hitch, along with the custom curtain wall. We’re told that a rubber mallet was seen on site.
Day 3: The second floor goes up almost before lunch time.
Day 3: The second floor goes up almost before lunch time.
Day 4: The tree trunk column, 3’ x 40’ custom laminated beam, and roof are on and ready for rain.
Day 4: The tree trunk column, 3’ x 40’ custom laminated beam, and roof are on and ready for rain.
The wood and glass curtain wall faces the White Mountains. Inserted within the syncopated grid is a mostly solid bay window, adding a degree of dynamic asymmetry and marking the location of the music studio, which was Catherine Houghton’s primary passion.
The wood and glass curtain wall faces the White Mountains. Inserted within the syncopated grid is a mostly solid bay window, adding a degree of dynamic asymmetry and marking the location of the music studio, which was Catherine Houghton’s primary passion.
The new arts center will have a super-efficient geothermal heat pump system, with the electrical power supplied by rooftop solar photovoltaics. The rooftop PV will generate more power than the arts center needs, with the excess being used to power a portion of the other academic buildings.
The new arts center will have a super-efficient geothermal heat pump system, with the electrical power supplied by rooftop solar photovoltaics. The rooftop PV will generate more power than the arts center needs, with the excess being used to power a portion of the other academic buildings.