CREW CT 2025 Blue Ribbon Brochure

Slate Upper School

North Haven, CT

Slate Upper School exemplifies the future of educational architecture, seamlessly integrating pedagogy, sustainability, and wellness. Designed to support a student-directed learning model, the school prioritizes environmental stewardship, biophilic design, and flexible learning spaces. By embracing its natural surroundings and implementing cutting-edge sustainability strategies, Slate Upper School serves as both an innovative learning environment and a model for responsible development. Physical and Geographic Features: Situated on a 40-acre site adjacent to Slate Lower School, the Upper School campus immerses students in a rich ecological setting. A pedestrian bridge spans a wetland valley, offering a gradual, nature-filled entry that reinforces environmental awareness. The campus design focuses on minimal ecological disruption, concentrating new development on previously disturbed land while preserving significant portions as a nature conservancy. Native plantings enhance biodiversity, support pollinators, and contribute to wetland restoration, reinforcing the school’s mission of fostering deep connections to nature. Form and Function: The architecture supports interdisciplinary, project-based learning through adaptable, student-centered spaces. The two primary buildings are linked by a light-filled central spine, fostering connectivity and collaboration. Key learning spaces include: The transition from Lower to Upper School is reflected in the spatial organization, with younger students engaging in large, open classrooms that evolve into more varied study environments as they progress. The central gathering space, equipped with bifold sliding doors, expands or contracts as needed to accommodate different learning modalities. Community and Regional Impact: Slate Upper School sets a new standard for sustainable school design, serving as a replicable model for future educational institutions. By preserving wetlands and implementing sustainable stormwater management, the project supports regional conservation efforts. Additionally, its focus on wellness—through biophilic design and non-toxic materials—aligns with broader initiatives to improve student and teacher health while reducing the carbon footprint of educational facilities. Challenges and Solutions: Developing on a site bisected by wetlands presented challenges in planning and permitting. The design team collaborated with environmental consultants and regulatory agencies to ensure ecological preservation while maintaining site connectivity. Strategic placement of the pedestrian bridge and buildings minimized environmental disruption. Meeting stringent health and sustainability standards required extensive material research to eliminate Red List substances such as VOCs, heavy metals, and formaldehyde. Plumbing and mechanical systems were tested to ensure a lead-free environment, creating the healthiest possible setting for students and faculty. Sustainability and Wellness Features: Slate Upper School integrates Passive House, WELL Building, Living Building Challenge, and CHPS standards, ensuring superior energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. Key features include: High-Performance Building Envelope All-Electric Mechanical Systems Material Health and Safety Ecological Site Strategies By aligning architecture with mission, Slate Upper School demonstrates how learning environments can inspire students while setting new sustainability and wellness benchmarks. The Ideas Lab: A hands-on makerspace for creative problem-solving. The Bloom Lab: A space dedicated to scientific inquiry and innovation. A Greenhouse: Integrated into the curriculum to support agricultural and environmental studies. The Alma: A flexible performance and gathering space serving as the heart of the school.

Owner — Slate School

Project Size — 18,687 square feet

Project Team — Patriquin Architects, CES, Girard & Co., SLR, Gorecki Design Associates, Gilbane Building Company

23 Blue Ribbon Awards 2025