The Shirley Quadrivium
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Client
The Hill School -
Project Area
47,000 SF -
Completion Date
2020
The Shirley Quadrivium Center at The Hill School is a state-of-the-art place for the study of Engineering, Science, Math, and Technology. The Quadrivium is composed of two historic campus structures that were restored, fully renovated, and linked by a dynamic new building.
Historic Renovation and Restoration
The Quadrivium Center project restored the exterior brick façade, provided new energy efficient and historically appropriate windows, and fully renovated the interior of two historic buildings built in the 1930s: the Widener Science Building and the Art and Crafts Building. The exterior end wall of the Widener Building was left exposed as a focal point within the interior space of the new two-story lobby. The Widener Library casework was restored, and the space was reimagined as a modern conference room. The narrower footprint of the two existing buildings was better suited for math classrooms, computer science labs, and small group study spaces. The new construction of the linking building respects and borrows elements from the adjacent historic structures.
Celebrating Engineering, Science, Math, and Technology
The new construction provides the larger footprint necessary for modern teaching lab spaces. It houses Physics, Biology, and Chemistry in one transparent linking building. The Engineering Lab is prominently positioned on the first floor. Separated from the Lobby by a movable glass partition, the activity in the Engineering Lab is always on display. Housing Engineering, Science, Math, and Technology under one roof supports The Hill School’s emphasis on multidisciplinary education.
Collaborative and Informal Learning Spaces
A significant part of the project is the provision of student-focused spaces, including lounges and independent study and tutoring rooms. The dramatic entrance lobby is envisioned as a gathering space for a variety of school events. The movable glass partition at the Engineering Lab opens to double the square footage of the lobby space, increasing the capacity for gathering and assembly. Flexible lounge spaces on the upper floors outside of the science labs promote collaboration and strengthen a sense of school community.
