Centerbrook Architects and Planners

Congratulations to Lesley University on the ribbon cutting for Reed and Burnham Halls! We are proud to contribute, with our many partners, to their renaissance.

For more than a century, New Canaan’s public library has been a centerpiece of the bucolic—and affluent—western Connecticut town. Originally built in 1913, the library building was bordered by downtown’s Main and Cherry Streets and saw three major expansions, the last of which was in 1979. Called to respond to the changing needs of New Canaan and the modern media landscape, in which some physical books can be replaced by digital assets and make way for other forms of programming, the library undertook a major fundraising campaign to construct an entirely new building on the same site.⁠ “What we were hoping for was a community hub, a place for gathering and social interaction, and stretching people’s definitions of what libraries are,” says Ellen Crovatto, CEO of New Canaan Library. She adds that libraries have moved away from being places where people are shushed for talking, to spaces that are “active and loud and communal.”⁠ When the library approached Connecticut-based Centerbrook Architects and Planners to design its new building more than a decade ago, principal-in-charge Jim Childress came to the project having worked on several libraries. The New Canaan project further revealed his lifelong affection for these institutions—Crovatto describes Childress as a “professional library tourist.” (He is also an avid volunteer at his local branch in the town of Essex.) “That sensibility permeates the thoughtfulness and intent behind every decision that was made here in the design,” says Crovatto. “He has a world view, an interest in what is happening in Scandinavia, Amsterdam, Japan, and South America.” ⁠ Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gWWFXRRD Words by Jennifer Krichels Photos Jeff Goldberg/Esto

Thank you to AIA Connecticut for recognizing four Centerbrook projects with 2024 design awards, and congratulations to our clients and partners! https://lnkd.in/eiNnHFnJ

When you are a Principal who has been at Centerbrook for 50 years, we pull out all the stops to recognize the milestone. Mark Simon loves ice cream, and he makes it himself, once even concocting a recipe attributed to Thomas Jefferson for an interview at the University of Virginia. So, what better way to celebrate than an ice cream party with 50 topping choices? Mark was totally surprised and, if you must know, went back for seconds!

Ridley College recently celebrated the grand opening of two reimagined spaces. Centered around a pedestrian quadrangle, the two become one to create a vibrant new campus center for the Ridley community: https://lnkd.in/eVQmmNuB

Love to see Ridley College's new learning commons in action.

The Stuckeman School at Penn State University has invited principals Justin and Elizabeth Hedde to speak at their Lectures & Exhibits series. On October 9th at 4:00 pm, they’ll discuss “The Village Model” and its success here at Centerbrook. To learn more, visit: https://lnkd.in/eZPhZCuC

This past weekend, Ridley College celebrated the Grand Opening of our newly transformed spaces, marking a significant chapter in our school's history. We celebrated the reopening of the historic Iggulden Building. Initially opened in 1939 as an athletic centre, the "Iggy" has been reimagined to serve as a modern hub for learning and creativity, now home to the Mitchell Learning Commons, Ron Mannix & Class of ’66 Music Centre, Norris Walker ’52 Creative Commons, Leggat Family Art Gallery, Paterson Performance Hall and much more. While the building’s function has evolved, the legacy of “Cap” and Andy Iggulden continues to be honoured, as members of the Iggulden family joined us for a special rededication on Saturday afternoon. We also officially opened the new Evans Athletic Centre, home to the Tiger Arena and newly renovated Fieldhouse. The Centre also features an upgraded Griffith Gymnasium, Jack Aylott Squash Centre, Suzanne Court ’86 Family Fitness Centre and the Neil Campbell ’51 Rowing Room. Additionally, we dedicated the McKeough Common in memory of W. Darcy McKeough ’51, a distinguished alumnus who made lasting contributions to Ridley. His legacy of service, philanthropy and leadership was celebrated by his family and friends following a memorial service held in his honour. Visit out Flickr page for more photos: https://lnkd.in/eKErJDtr

Centerbrook focuses on cultivating the whole architect – a sensitive designer, strong communicator, and proactive problem solver with technical acuity. Our emerging staff gains experience with all aspects of design and construction by collaborating with mentors who offer guidance and provide opportunities for learning. Two of them, Tiana Kimball and Tanya Gianitsos, recently had a great outing with the team managing the construction of a new field house at Bryant University by Gilbane Building Company. They participated in an OAC meeting and walked the site while the team problem solved. They even got to sign a beam!

Like a glowing beacon, the New Canaan Library beckons: https://lnkd.in/gyzGYQX5 Photo by Jeff Goldberg/Esto #newcanaan #connecticut #newengland #newcanaanlibrary #library #publiclibrary #architecture #design #byCBK #centerbrookarchitects