Exterior: Where Legacy Meets Modernity

The building’s exterior harmoniously ties the past to the future. Crafted from 50% wood siding, 30% brick and 20% glazing, it reflects a balance of tradition and progress. The brickwork, a blend of three colors, roots the new Lower School in FWCD's history while creating a blueprint for future campus projects. The wood siding, matching the metal panel color found elsewhere on campus, introduces a natural, softer element suited to its younger occupants. The pattern of the siding is a subtle nod to the intricate stonework of the Sid W. Richardson Visual Arts Center, ensuring the campus feels cohesive and interconnected.

Natural light floods classrooms through strategically placed windows and skylights, blurring the line between interior and exterior. Large doors open the Carolyn W. Fierer Library to a gathering courtyard, replacing the internal, windowless commons of the old building with an inviting outdoor “living room.” Around the east side of the building’s entry, the School preserved 85% of the mature trees, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and respect for the natural world. For every tree removed, a new one now stands, along with several smaller ornamental trees that were added.

Every classroom has a view of the outdoors with easily opened windows to let in fresh air while offering views of the campus. Dedicated outdoor classrooms and the central gathering courtyard encourage students to learn, collaborate and play in harmony with their environment.

Clockwise from top left: John Holt Smith ’87 used an oak tree and its colors to create a painting for the third and fourth grade hallway; Smith’s second painting (in the first and second grade hallway) draws from a mosaic that was on the old Lower School building; wide hallways feature magnet boards for art and coat knobs for easy jacket-hanging; the Carolyn W. Fierer Library is a sprawling space for FWCD readers; a double fireplace creates a cozy ambiance, visible from a nearby sitting area while also providing a warm spot for the library team to read aloud to students; Barbara Meyers’ science classroom is bright and happy; the new Lower School building features two open learning porches.

A Storybook Landing

It’s a bird, it’s a plane … it’s a flying tree? Yes, that’s right! At 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, students and faculty gathered around the new Lower School, eyes fixed on the sky, to watch as a 500-ton hydraulic crane moved the 22,000-pound Lower School Storybook tree from the kindergarten parking lot over the first and second grade wing of the Annie Richardson Bass Lower School building, landing in its new home in the courtyard outside the Carolyn W. Fierer Library. Fourth graders led impromptu cheers about the tree as they witnessed this unique event.

The Chinkapin Oak – 25 feet tall and with the potential to reach 70 feet – will grow to shade readers and passersby in the years to come. The tree hails from Twin Lakes Nursery in Canton, where it had been growing in a box for 30-40 years. Chinkapin Oaks have been known to live for over 250 years, with the oldest, the Sacred Oak, located in Oley Valley, Pennsylvania, being an estimated 500 years old.

“The storybook tree will be a focal point of the new building and a gathering location for Lower School students,” said Trey Blair, Head of Lower School. “Imagine morning meetings, assemblies, book clubs or K-4 families taking place around the tree throughout the year. We can't wait to see students gathering around the tree in 2025!”

Interior: A Canvas for Growth

The vibrant interior design creates a sense of identity for each grade level, with colors reminiscent of a Crayola crayon box, anchored by FWCD's iconic red and blue. Two layers of drywall help minimize sound transfer, creating a quieter learning environment. In addition to the Harrison Commons, Carolyn W. Fierer Library and classrooms, the new Lower School includes learning specialist offices, an administrative suite, dedicated breakout rooms, outdoor classrooms, and a gathering courtyard, enhancing the flexibility and functionality of the building. The Harrison Commons doubles as a fortified storm shelter designed to withstand the impact of wind-borne debris (a 15-pound 2x4) traveling at 100 miles per hour during a tornado event.

The classrooms themselves are a leap forward in design. Sculpted skylights illuminate the spaces, transforming them into bright, inspiring areas where students are encouraged to explore, dream and grow. High-quality, natural materials create a welcoming environment, while flexible lighting and maximized daylight ensure each space is practical and uplifting.

Sustainability: A Model for the Future

The Annie Richardson Bass Lower School building is as forward-thinking as it is beautiful. Its 20% improvement in energy efficiency compared to similar educational buildings reflects FWCD’s dedication to environmental stewardship. The building’s design team prioritized health and wellbeing, incorporating sustainable materials and innovative technologies to craft a space that is as nurturing as it is inspiring.

In this new building, the legacy of FWCD’s Lower School lives on, reimagined for a brighter future. Here, students can embrace their creativity, connect with nature, and build a foundation for lifelong learning.