The Bryant School Redevelopment

No category of building offers greater unrealized sustainability potential than historic structures. Often viewed as “untouchable” cultural/community assets and resistant to the introduction of high performance technology, they are typically located in the heart of downtown areas and are, in a regional sustainability context, candidates of the first order for higher urban density and avoidance of suburban sprawl—the great stealth generator of wasted infrastructure, travel time, air pollution, and energy. Designed in the Arts and Crafts Style and completed in 1889 as the Elementary School for Great Barrington, Bryant School is listed as a Massachusetts Cultural Resource. Redevelopment of Bryant School—an urban, brownfield property—served as the first step in Great Barrington’s revitalization of the Downtown Special Business District. Bryant School, vacant for five years, is an exemplar of transformative growth as evidenced by an increase of almost 100 percent in usable square footage within the existing historic envelope. The objective of a resilient design and humanistic workplace reflecting the unique qualities of the Berkshires and the local community grew from the owner’s passion and became the foundation of a value-centered design process. The project team strived to preserve both the appearance and memory of Bryant School, including: the re-use/salvage of all original maple flooring—including “shadow circles” from the attachment of school desks, the retention/expression of the signature brick chimneys as circulation “gateways,” and a gallery of all existing student artwork murals prior to demolition. The free-standing glass elevator and stair tower provide access to all levels while preserving the “community faces” of the original structure. The dramatic view to East Mountain from the Conference Room/Terrace is the defining view from the previously unoccupied attic, which is now a function space, available to community functions. An innovative system of rain gardens, vegetated swales, and infiltration infrastructure has remediated these pollution and flood risks—a result of the existing site being 100% asphalt. In addition to achieving LEED Gold, the Bryant School achieves Architecture 2030 Challenge with energy code equivalency (Bryant School is 27 percent better based on cost and 46% based on consumption). Over 99% of all occupied spaces have access to some level of daylight so that daylit egress is possible in an emergency.