Construction Update # 3: Architect Selected

Dear faculty and staff,

I wish to share an update on the Facilities Expansion Project. We are still waiting for the Legal Permit for phase 1, the summer classroom expansion in ES, MS, and HS. Construction will not occur until that is in place.  Therefore, we cannot provide a date of construction completion for phase 1 at this time; we have Plan B in place in the event of a delay in August (See your principal for details). We will keep you informed as we learn more.
The Construction Safety Committee met for the first time yesterday. Thank you to these participants (Chris Beanes, Stephen Barber (representing Trident, the Project Managers), Patrick O’Donnell, WaiMun Fung, Bonnie Bertoia, Rick Friel, and Jay Johnson) for their commitment of time, effort and insights into drop-off and pick-up during construction.

Good News: We are delighted to inform you that we have contracted Flansburgh Architects to complete our campus master planning and the new Middle School at SSIS (Phase 2 of Facilities Expansion). Flansburgh is described as a “global, award-winning architectural planning and design firm specializing in all types of academic facilities and environmental sustainability.” My reference checks with other schools, with whom Flansburgh has worked, yielded comments such as, “ I think the firm’s strength is their specialization in Education and understanding of how facilities can affect learning” and “Their success with us has been a brilliant master plan for both campuses, which we have updated every five years with them, and the innovative designs. They listen, seek input, and work with you,” and,  “Both of our campus facilities and total designs get rave reviews and deservedly.”

David Croteau, President of Flansburgh, will visit SSIS campus on May 29-31.  During this time he will meet with all stakeholder groups, including faculty, during three days of workshops and sessions. A schedule is currently being drafted. David is a renowned architect who is sought after to speak at educational conferences including the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the Society of College and University Planners (SCUP), the Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE) about designing 21st century learning environments.

You may be interested in viewing the new American International School of Zagreb for which Flansburgh received an award from the Croatian Chamber of Architectures.

As we think ahead to the new Middle School facility, we hope that the new facility will support interdisciplinary, student directed-learning that is academically challenging and occurs in a nurturing and supportive environment.  We are confident that Flansburgh will design such a school and we look forward to the knowledge and insights that our SSIS faculty, staff, parents, and students will provide along the way.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

All good wishes,

Catriona