Sharon High School

Design team
Charles Hay, AIA (Principal in Charge); Chris Blessen, AIA (Managing Principal); Wendy Hynes, IIDA (Interior Design Director); Chris Sharkey, AIA (Project Manager)

Sharon High School’s new building embodies the district’s core values: acceptance, equity, integrity, respect, kindness, and teamwork. The design integrates these principles using vibrant graphics, colors, and layout to foster inspiration, connection, and a sense of belonging.

The school is sited and arranged to maximize adjacent lake views and shaped at the classroom wing endcaps to match the scale of surrounding houses. Biophilic design elements like green roofs, outdoor patios, natural wood finishes and expansive glass windows enrich the learning environment by seamlessly merging the school with its natural surroundings.

Entry from either side of the building places one immediately into the central corridor. A punched-out second floor hallway enables sunlight to stream in through expansive skylights. The preserved moss feature wall echoes the green roofs and lakefront access outside.

Common areas like breakout spaces along main corridors, the cafeteria, library, and academic support centers help cultivate the district-wide emphasis of community and social and emotional wellbeing by enabling students to collaborate and foster meaningful relationships.

The black box theater and auditorium underscore the school’s dedication to its distinguished performing arts program. Showcased physical education studios and gym infuse well-being into the school culture, making it a priority for students.

Each academic wing is preceded by STEAM/makerspace areas and fronted by science classrooms to maximize the display and visual cross-pollination of cutting-edge tech ed. The two-story wings are punctuated by natural colors and environmental graphics that break down the scale of the building into smaller academic pods. Along the corridor, formal and informal breakout spaces emerge, capped by glass-encased small group rooms that afford views and natural light.

The design also prioritizes dedicated special education spaces in and near academic wings, community education and local TV studio suite. The design encourages adaptability and future-focused education initiatives.

Additional Information

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