trevor day school
2015
new york city, ny
110,000 sf
new construction, sustainability
awards
2016, AIA Westchester/Hudson Valley
High Honor Award
collaborators
Structural: Silman
MEP: AKF/John Rice
Site/Civil: Langan
Sustainability: Viridian
Geothermal: Geothermal International
Curtainwall: R. A. Heintges
Theatre: HMB Associates
a vertical campus shaped by movement, connection, and daily use
The Trevor Day School brings academic, athletic, and community life together within a compact urban setting. A masonry base anchors the building at the street, while a glazed tower above opens classrooms and shared spaces to light, views, and connection across levels.
Circulation is central to the experience of the building. Open stairs, clear sightlines, and shared gathering areas support daily movement and informal interaction, helping students and faculty navigate the campus with ease. The design balances structure and openness, creating spaces that feel grounded, flexible, and connected to the life of the school.
project narrative
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Trevor Day School needed learning spaces that could support a collaborative, inquiry-based educational model across a diverse student body. The existing campus layout limited flexibility, circulation, and opportunities for interaction.
Classrooms were compartmentalized, shared areas lacked visibility, and the overall environment did not fully express the school’s commitment to openness and community.
The challenge was to reorganize the campus in a way that would serve current programming needs while allowing room for future growth.
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The design concept centers on creating a connected academic environment shaped by light, transparency, and circulation. By positioning learning spaces around a clear spine and introducing larger shared areas, the project strengthens the visual and social connections across grade levels.
Daylight and openness guide the organization of classrooms and gathering zones, while material choices and spatial proportions reinforce a calm, contemporary learning atmosphere.
The campus becomes a sequence of welcoming spaces that encourage movement, collaboration, and engagement.
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The approach focused on understanding how students and teachers use the campus throughout the day. Circulation routes were clarified to improve flow and reduce bottlenecks, while classrooms and program areas were reconfigured to support both individual study and group work.
Flexible spaces were added to accommodate evolving academic needs, and strategic openings were introduced to bring natural light deeper into the building.
Each design decision worked toward creating a cohesive academic setting that helps Trevor Day School cultivate curiosity, connection, and a strong sense of community.
project outcome
Improved circulation and visibility support daily movement throughout the building, allowing students and faculty to navigate the campus intuitively. Open stairs and shared spaces encourage informal interaction while maintaining clear sightlines across levels.
Daylight and transparency shape the interior experience, bringing natural light deep into classrooms and communal areas. Glazing and interior connections reinforce a sense of openness while supporting supervision and safety.
Flexible shared spaces accommodate a range of academic and social uses, adapting over time as programs evolve. The building supports both focused study and collective activity without privileging one over the other.
let’s continue the conversation
Every project begins with listening. If you’re considering a new campus, building, or landscape, we’d welcome the chance to talk through your goals, challenges, and aspirations. Our team works collaboratively to shape places that feel grounded, connected, and built to serve people well over time.
