Commendation Project name: The Governor’s Academy | Bill ’67 and Peter ’71 Alfond Coastal Research Center
Project overview: The new Coastal Research Center sits on the edge of the Parker River, a vital marsh ecosystem, supporting the school’s mission to be a resource for the community and a leader in coastal studies. Its design connects people and place, fostering experiential learning and increasing awareness of environmental protection.
The building sits a strategic 100 feet from the marsh between two existing rock outcroppings, as close as possible to the water without harming its ecosystems. The structure’s long dimension faces the river to take advantage of prevailing winds, cooling classrooms as breezes gust through operable windows. Glass is concentrated towards the river to provide every space with views of the water. Cladded with sustainable wood, the center’s exterior melts into the forest.
An on-site apartment houses visiting researchers, transparent classrooms stimulate collaboration across disciplines, and outdoor teaching areas extend into nature. Green space is completely unmanicured and all deciduous trees were retained to support surrounding habitats and control temperature through passive cooling. An elevated, low-impact ramp winds 500 feet through the woodlands and leads to the coastal marsh, inviting all ages and abilities into the environment. To access the water while minimizing disturbance, a steel and wood boardwalk cantilevers above the marsh’s sensitive edge and connects to a floating dock. The project’s highly visible bio-infiltration basins, bio-swales, and aquatic life support systems and tanks display a microcosm of the water cycle. The exposed systems teach future generations about water management, water quality, and water’s necessary role in survival.
Project location: Byfield, Massachusetts
Firm name: Flansburgh Architects
Architect of Record: David Croteau
Completion: 2023
Client: Governor’s Academy | Tom Woodruff, Director of Facilities
Jury comments: This beautiful project shows clear and elegant design gestures made because of the goals of designing for equitable communities and accessibility, and meets the AIA 2030 challenge. Sustainability is woven throughout the design, from stormwater bio-infiltration basins and energy-efficient systems to a net-zero-ready electrical infrastructure, ensuring responsible resource use. There is a strong commitment to experiential learning is evident in the layout and programming. Accessible walkways and outdoor gathering spaces allow for direct interaction with the marsh ecosystems.
Images/Photographer(s): Robert Benson Civil Engineer: Meridian Specifications: Structural: Buro Happold Mechanical: Buro Happold Electrical: Buro Happold Plumbing: Buro Happold Landscaping: Meridian Aquatics: Aquatic Environments Inc. Cost Estimating: PM&C
