Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill Campus

Architecture for two adjacent buildings—a commons building and a classroom facility—with very different functions emerged as part of a long working relationship between the firm and the school community. The school’s previous master plan lacked assembly space and a dedicated resource library but set aside area for a new classroom building. The design process began with reimagining earlier planning strategies to create a stronger, more consistent sense of place. In the new master plan, areas between buildings are considered as important as the buildings themselves.

To signify the importance of coming together to the school culture, the commons building rotates to open symbolic and literal connections to the campus’s different areas and to the new Arts & Engineering Building. This orientation delineates two formal green spaces shared by the two buildings. A central circulation path connects the lower school to the gymnasium and reinforces east-west movement for learning programs.