Chartwell School

Chartwell School was founded in 1983 to answer the learning needs of dyslexic children. One of the challenges set up by the architect was an insistence on extremely simple structural expression -- would a child be able to see how the building was put together?

This effect was achieved through close collaboration between architects EHDD and Tipping Mar. The multi-purpose room to the left is the result. The rendering and study sketches were produced by TM+a, to develop the structural design language for the exposed framing.

The Chartwell School is set to achieve an LEED Platinum rating. In order to save money and resources, TM+a practiced resource efficient framing to reduce the amount of wood used by 30%, thus enabling the project to afford sustainably grown, FSC-certified lumber. The concrete has 70% cement replacement with slag, an industrial waste product. The roof structures use structural insulated panels (SIPs) for high insulation and low lumber use.

Research for this material was provided by funds from a Kresge Foundation grant.

Architecture Firm: EHDD

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Structural
• Truss
• Chartwell
• School