Elevating the arts

Deerfield Academy

The expansion of Deerfield Academy’s arts facilities blends contemporary design with a nod to historical integrity. Encompassing major renovations to existing spaces as well as large additions for a new concert hall and art gallery, the project provides the campus with forward-looking, state-of-the-art design that unifies a series of previously disconnected buildings and departments, and affirms the critical importance of the arts in independent education.
Presentation Mode
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AR11140239

Modern design for a timeless setting

An emphasis on bright, forward-looking design transforms four previously separate buildings into a modern, unified arts center. Contemporary interior design touches provide balance and connect the new spaces while preserving key historical elements. On the exterior, new minimalist brick volumes complement the surrounding context without mimicking it, and are set back from the original main entry to quietly strengthen and enhance the historical integrity of the campus.

ARC really listened and found ways to bring all our ideas together to create a truly remarkable vision that addressed all of our programmatic needs.

Jeff Galli, Director of Operations

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AR11140163
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AR11140209

Bold design for artistic expression 

Each element of the Hess Center’s design was conceived to support and express its artistic functions. Elegantly detailed surfaces inside the concert hall maximize acoustic performance and enrich the space, while the acoustic shaping of the volume is expressed on the exterior to reveal the artistic activity inside. The art gallery’s corner windows provide flexible display space with key visual connections to the surrounding campus.

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AR11140208

ARC’s creativity led to the successful integration of a modern arts center that fits perfectly into the historic Deerfield campus.

Jeff Galli, Director of Operations

Image
AR11140237

Using transparency to connect the arts  

A wide range of interior glass walls and openings create visual connections between the facility’s various education and performance spaces. Careful planning of the circulation throughout the building creates opportunities for the different arts departments to learn from one another, and reveals the exciting creative activities to the rest of the campus community that use the building for classes, gatherings, and all-school meetings in the central auditorium.

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AR11140152
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Photography: Warren Patterson Photography

Project
Hess Center for the Arts at Deerfield Academy
Location
Deerfield, MA
Size
85,000 SF (65,000 SF Renovation, 20,000 SF New)

Elevating the arts

Deerfield Academy

Project
Hess Center for the Arts at Deerfield Academy
Location
Deerfield, MA
Size
85,000 SF (65,000 SF Renovation, 20,000 SF New)
The expansion of Deerfield Academy’s arts facilities blends contemporary design with a nod to historical integrity. Encompassing major renovations to existing spaces as well as large additions for a new concert hall and art gallery, the project provides the campus with forward-looking, state-of-the-art design that unifies a series of previously disconnected buildings and departments, and affirms the critical importance of the arts in independent education.
Presentation Mode
Image
AR11140239

Modern design for a timeless setting

An emphasis on bright, forward-looking design transforms four previously separate buildings into a modern, unified arts center. Contemporary interior design touches provide balance and connect the new spaces while preserving key historical elements. On the exterior, new minimalist brick volumes complement the surrounding context without mimicking it, and are set back from the original main entry to quietly strengthen and enhance the historical integrity of the campus.

ARC really listened and found ways to bring all our ideas together to create a truly remarkable vision that addressed all of our programmatic needs.

Jeff Galli, Director of Operations

Image
AR11140163
Image
AR11140230
Image
AR11140209

Bold design for artistic expression 

Each element of the Hess Center’s design was conceived to support and express its artistic functions. Elegantly detailed surfaces inside the concert hall maximize acoustic performance and enrich the space, while the acoustic shaping of the volume is expressed on the exterior to reveal the artistic activity inside. The art gallery’s corner windows provide flexible display space with key visual connections to the surrounding campus.

Image
AR11140208

ARC’s creativity led to the successful integration of a modern arts center that fits perfectly into the historic Deerfield campus.

Jeff Galli, Director of Operations

Image
AR11140237

Using transparency to connect the arts  

A wide range of interior glass walls and openings create visual connections between the facility’s various education and performance spaces. Careful planning of the circulation throughout the building creates opportunities for the different arts departments to learn from one another, and reveals the exciting creative activities to the rest of the campus community that use the building for classes, gatherings, and all-school meetings in the central auditorium.

Image
AR11140152
Image
AR11140212
Image
AR11140220

Photography: Warren Patterson Photography

Elevating the arts / Deerfield Academy
AR11140237
AR11140152
AR11140239
AR11140212
AR11140220
AR11140163
AR11140230
AR11140209
AR11140208