The Governor’s Academy | Bill ’67 and Peter ’71 Alfond Coastal Research Center

Byfield, Massachusetts

Firm

Flansburgh Architects

Client

The Governor's Academy

Area

9,350 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$7,000,000

Completion Date

01/2022

Robert Benson

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Design team
David Croteau (Principal-in-Charge); Daithi Blair (Project Architect); Will Merrill (Architectural Designer)

The Coastal Research Center emphasizes experiential learning and ecological awareness, particularly in marsh ecosystems, by encouraging hands-on engagement with real-world data and projects. The building, strategically situated on a granite saddle, minimized environmental impact, preserving the shoreline, marshes, and wetlands. Its exterior, clad in sustainable wood, blends seamlessly with the surrounding forest, and steel frames with ample glazing provide unobstructed views of nature, fostering study and observation. The design prioritizes outward views, creating “living calendars” of the natural environment.

Flexible classrooms support a range of disciplines, from traditional sciences to studies in climate justice and ethics. The center includes makerspaces and aquatic labs, featuring concrete floors and exposed systems for active learning. An elevated, gently sloping walkway winds through the woods to the shore, making the marsh and riverbanks accessible to all, including those with disabilities. At the river, students engage in discovery, collecting specimens for study. The center also hosts a small residence for visiting scientists, enhancing both local and national research. An outdoor venue with stepped seating facilitates lectures, performances, and community outreach.