The Baldwin School, Bryn Mawr, Pa.
RETROFIT TEAM
ARCHITECT: Voith and Mactavish
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Warfel Construction
CIVIL ENGINEER: Chester Valley Engineers
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: DCI Engineers
MEP ENGINEER: Bruce E. Brooks & Associates
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Viridian Landscape Studio
AV/IT: KMK Technologies, now NV5
MATERIALS
Looking to renew an existing pool house that was no longer needed, The Baldwin School saw an opportunity to support student collaboration and interdisciplinary education on the campus by creating a space for students to keep learning, making and sharing.
The area looks clean and orderly, but also spacious and dynamic thanks in part to the finishes used throughout. Neutral colors and materials, such as the wood flooring and ceiling, combine with white surfaces with blue details. Bright cushions provide a strategic burst of additional color. Through a series of French doors that open to an adjacent courtyard patio, this renewed space connects physically and visually with the rest of campus while allowing natural light to flood into the interior, resulting in a lively environment that promotes learning and development for students.
The following is a sampling of materials used in the project:
POOL INFILL, RECLAIMED HARDWOOD: Mixed Hardwoods, Settlers’ Plank from Pioneer Millworks
CARPETING ON RAMPS: Boucle, Infinity Modular, Sapphire 34923 from Mannington Commercial
INFILLED MOSAIC TILE AT NEW DOOR OPENINGS: Keystones, Luminary Gold D142, Artisan Brown D144, Cornsilk D160 and Elemental Tan D166 from Daltile
ACOUSTIC WALL PANELING: Atlas II from Knoll
TACKBOARDS: 2187 Brown Rice from Forbo
CEILING: 1400 Series Dowel/Cross Piece Grille, Western Hemlock, Maple Stain from 9Wood
LINEAR CEILING: Edge EX2D from Pinnacle Architectural Lighting
DECORATIVE PENDANTS: Bola Sphere SPH12 from Pablo Lighting
EXTERIOR LIGHTS: 31 171 LED Wall Luminaire with Shielded Light from BEGA
WINDOWS AND DOORS: Reserve Wood Casement and Hung Windows and Reserve Wood Patio Doors from Pella
PLASTIC-LAMINATE-CLAD CABINETS AND CUSTOM WINDOW BENCHES: Panolam
SOLID-SURFACE COUNTERTOPS: Epoxy Resin worksurfaces in Tan from Durcon
THE RETROFIT
The goal was to make the space comfortable and safe for this all-girls’ school with students ranging in age from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade.
The original building, with a footprint of approximately 3,500 square feet, consisted mainly of a large open space where the pool was excavated. To make the most out of these existing conditions and avoid unnecessary costs, the void formerly occupied by the pool was converted into a sunken seating area, which can be accessed by steps or a ramp; it also can be covered over as needed to maximize the efficiency of the space.
With the intention to further optimize efficiency during busy school days, flexible tables and seating were placed to allow for different configurations. Together with the sunken seating, situated low to the ground, there is a comfortable place for even the youngest students. Storage, white boards and display space are available low to the ground. Higher up, out of reach of small hands, there is a makerspace area with 3D printers and other crafting tools.
PHOTOS: Jeffrey Totaro unless otherwise noted