National publication American School & University has awarded LAN their Outstanding Design Award for LAN’s design of the lobby addition at the Bronxville School in Bronxville, New York. The project, which was completed in 2021, included elements of historical preservation with an eye toward seamlessly blending the modern yet timeless addition into the century old school building.
Since the Bronxville School’s initial construction in 1922, educational architecture has seen a significant paradigm shift. With the construction of its new entrance lobby, the century old school now has a common area that both embraces modern modalities and maintains the structure’s historic identity. The entrance addition and common areas were seamlessly integrated into the collegiate gothic brick façade and indoor aesthetic of the existing building. Interior wood trim, as well as brick and stone, were chosen to emulate some of the original building’s detailing, which kept the modern addition sympathetic to the look and feel of the historic building.
The 27-foot-tall ceiling provides a sense of openness, while the warmth and timelessness of the white oak paneled interior and movable seating nooks make the space feel cozy and customizable. Ample daylighting is provided through a series of skylights puncturing the barrel-vaulted ceiling and large north facing windows. The new entrance hall quickly became a mainstay for students wishing to congregate, and a unique work area for students to collaborate or engage in independent study.
LAN Associates is a full-service architecture and engineering firm and provided architecture, civil engineering, surveying, and construction administration services in support of completing this project. The award-winning lobby addition was part of a much larger project funded through a school bond referendum. In addition to the lobby, LAN expanded the undersized cafeteria and designed a guidance suite, STEAM Lab, masonry façade, enhanced security improvements, and created a new flexible learning commons that encourages student collaboration. You can read all the project details, see the photos, and watch a video walkthrough of the Bronxville School here.
American School & University is a national publication focused on educational architecture. LAN’s design of the lobby at the Bronxville School was featured the publication’s 2022 educational interiors showcase alongside projects from other top design firms who won this year’s competition.
