The Upper School Academic Center Facilities
Signature Features
The Atrium The Atrium, a spacious, multi-story gathering space, will connect the three main buildings. It will provide outdoor, inviting nooks for small groups of students to gather, study, and learn. The Atrium entrance will be supported by four Greco-Roman columns mirroring those on the Huizenga Building.
Innovative Classrooms and Adjoining Learning Spaces The larger classrooms will provide more options for teachers in designing and presenting engaging and creative lessons. The classrooms will contain seminar tables and flexible furniture that facilitate a dynamic and interactive learning environment. In each classroom, there will be state-of-the-art technology, including interactive white boards. Each classroom will lead seamlessly to an adjacent learning space.
The South Hall The South Hall will run parallel to Northeast 62nd Street, forming a new outward buffer for the campus and providing an inner boundary for the Central Courtyard. The Hall will contain state-of-the-art classrooms for English and modern language courses, and also will provide a home for the important instructional support functions of College Counseling, Guidance, and Technology. The Central Hall The Central Hall will be the anchor of the Academic Center and the home of the Robert and Eugenie Friedman Institute for Civic Involvement, our center for service learning. This hall will add to our campus two innovative and state-of-the-art learning spaces: 1) a mid-size, theater-style lecture hall 2) two collegiate-style, Case-Method Seminar rooms.
The East Hall The East Hall will extend into the center of the campus, providing an inner boundary for the Central Courtyard and a link to the Huizenga Building. The Hall will contain stateof-the–art classrooms for social science and math. The Hall also will house the Upper School Office and a new campus feature, the Hollander Student Union, which will become the center of activity for Upper School students.
The Central Courtyard As the primary area leading to the Upper School Academic Center, the Central Courtyard will be the physical and symbolic center of our campus. The Central Courtyard will be one of many beautiful and inviting courtyards in the interior of the campus, serving as a gathering area for students and teachers. The Central Courtyard will connect and highlight the two beautiful bell towers on our campus.
Complex Planning and Design The Upper School Academic Center (above) project will consist of an atrium, three adjoining buildings, and a central courtyard.
Case-Method Seminar Room The Case-Method Seminar rooms will be collegiate in design, allowing teachers and visiting lecturers a customized space to present seminars. The graduated seating and horseshoe design of the rooms will provide a learning environment that allows students in discussion-based courses to interact with each other and the teacher in a seminar setting. LEED-Certified Building – Environmental Conservation and Energy Efficiency The environmentally-friendly building will be one of many ways teachers will introduce students to the importance of choices that reduce our carbon footprint and preserve our natural environment. Classrooms will be equipped with smart lighting that dims and brightens depending
on the natural light that enters from large windows. The abundance of natural light provides an optimum learning environment which studies show improves student performance. Our LEED Certification will mean significantly improved air quality free from pollutants and allergens and a healthier educational environment for our students and teachers. Student Union The inviting indoor gathering area will be the center of activity for students in the Upper School. Students will be able to gather before school, during free periods, and after school. Outdoor Gathering and Study Spaces for Students The Academic Center will add a number of shaded, outdoor gathering and study spaces for students and teachers with tables and chairs. Campus Safety For the first time, a fully enclosed exterior to our campus will improve safety and security for students, teachers, and parents. The new central entrance will lead to a guard house at the opening of the horseshoe driveway in the center of campus. This area will be the primary entrance point for visitors, an area regulated and controlled by our security team.
Pine Crest Magazine Spring 2010
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