Elevating the arts

Deerfield Academy

The expansion of Deerfield Academy’s arts facilities blends contemporary design with a nod to historical integrity. Encompassing major renovations to existing spaces as well as large additions for a new concert hall and art gallery, the project provides the campus with forward-looking, state-of-the-art design that unifies a series of previously disconnected buildings and departments, and affirms the critical importance of the arts in independent education.

Presentation Mode

Modern design for a timeless setting

An emphasis on bright, forward-looking design transforms four previously separate buildings into a modern, unified arts center. Contemporary interior design touches provide balance and connect the new spaces while preserving key historical elements. On the exterior, new minimalist brick volumes complement the surrounding context without mimicking it, and are set back from the original main entry to quietly strengthen and enhance the historical integrity of the campus.

ARC really listened and found ways to bring all our ideas together to create a truly remarkable vision that addressed all of our programmatic needs.

Jeff Galli, Director of Operations

Bold design for artistic expression

Each element of the Hess Center’s design was conceived to support and express its artistic functions. Elegantly detailed surfaces inside the concert hall maximize acoustic performance and enrich the space, while the acoustic shaping of the volume is expressed on the exterior to reveal the artistic activity inside. The art gallery’s corner windows provide flexible display space with key visual connections to the surrounding campus.

ARC’s creativity led to the successful integration of a modern arts center that fits perfectly into the historic Deerfield campus.

Jeff Galli, Director of Operations

Using transparency to connect the arts

A wide range of interior glass walls and openings create visual connections between the facility’s various education and performance spaces. Careful planning of the circulation throughout the building creates opportunities for the different arts departments to learn from one another, and reveals the exciting creative activities to the rest of the campus community that use the building for classes, gatherings, and all-school meetings in the central auditorium.