School Plans New Uses for Old Spaces

With Middle and Upper School science, math and innovation classes scheduled to move to the Valdes STEM + Innovation Center next August, Greenhill is seeking to repurpose the vacated spaces through a multiyear plan.

“We want to plan for the changes strategically and thoughtfully,” Head of School Lee Hark said. “We want to look at overall campus growth and change over the next ve, 10 or even 20 years.”

Although the plans are in their early stages, administrators have begun to meet with consultants and di erent construction rms for discussions. In particular, school o cials have been working with spatial consultants from Facility Programming.

According to Hark, these spatial consultants collect data on how well the space on Greenhill campus is being used and what can be done to improve it. Using this data, master planners from Perkins + Will, an architectural rm, can begin to design new usages for the extra space.

Administrators and faculty have prioritized some core objectives. For example, the ongoing e ort to expand school enrollment means that more space will be needed for classrooms and student life.

“ e general theme is that we’re going to use the space in ways that serve our students best,” Hark said. “We want to get even better at providing resources for our students in the years to come.”

In the Upper School, all classes in the current Math Pod and Robotics Room will be moved to the Valdes STEM + Innovation Center. Head of Upper School Trevor Worcester said he hopes that this extra space will provide more room for growth within the student body and the faculty.

“In Upper School South, there’s a lot of space available, so the real question is what do we need?” Worcester said. “We don’t have many de nitive plans yet, but we’re starting to think bigger.”

Since Upper School North hasn’t had any major changes since its construction in 2005, Worcester said he hopes that bigger changes will come to fruition in the next few years. Although small projects have been done in Upper School South, like the restructuring of the Robotics area and Learning Commons, there are still bigger changes that can be made.

“It’s fun to reimagine these spaces and see how things can be improved upon, especially since nothing has really changed about the buildings since they’ve been built,” Worcester said. “It’s an exciting challenge for the next few years.”

Associate Head of School & Chief Financial O cer/ Chief Operating O cer Kendra Grace also said that a change in the Upper School landscape is overdue.

“Right now, the furniture in the Upper School is very outdated and doesn’t foster a good collaborative environment, which is our goal,” Grace said. “We tried out the new furniture in the Middle School and it seems to work well.”

e Upper School isn’t the only place on campus set to change. Montgomery Library, one of the only original buildings le on campus, might be renovated as well.

“It has to work better for all of the students and faculty that come to use our space,” Head Librarian Abby Harrison said. “I think it’s a beautiful building, but now all of the divisions use the space a lot, so it’s time for a change.”

Harrison says that Greenhill has invited a library consultant to plan the upcoming changes. Some prospective changes include shelving on wheels and adding comfortable furniture.

“Overall, I’m just looking for more exibility,” Harrison said. “We want tables for studying, but also comfortable furniture for students who are just here to enjoy their o period or relax with a book.”

Division of space is another issue that Harrison wants to address. Instead of only having individual study rooms, the library is seeking for more collaborative spaces.

“It would be nice if we had study rooms that allowed for more collaborative group work,” Harrison said. “A combination of quiet study spaces and collaborative spaces is really what we’re looking for.”

Even though plans might not be implemented for years, community members expressed excitement.

“I’m really hopeful for what these new changes could bring,” Harrison said. “I hope changes are made and we can do a sort of reboot for the library speci cally.”

With input from faculty and students, Hark said he is eager to see how the school can expand and better accommodate its students.

“ ere have been lots of good ideas, and some of them are really exciting,” Hark said. “We de nitely want to push the design side and be creative and forward-thinking.”