North Haven, CT – Patriquin Architects announced that the Slate Upper School project in North Haven has received a 2025 Sustainable Architecture Award of Excellence from AIA Connecticut.
The combined Upper and Lower School buildings at Slate School encompass approximately 25,000sf on a contiguous 40-acre campus. Situated adjacent to Slate Lower School, the new 18,687sf Upper School campus is designed to immerse students in a rich ecological setting and foster deep connections to nature. The architecture supports interdisciplinary, project-based learning through adaptable, student-centered spaces. The two primary buildings are linked by a light-filled central spine, and the central gathering space expands or contracts as needed to accommodate different learning modalities.
Designed for net-zero readiness, Slate Upper School incorporates Passive House, WELL Building, and Living Building Challenge principles, and CHPS standards. It is designed to serve as a replicable model for sustainable school design for future educational institutions. Key sustainability and wellness features include:
- High-Performance Building Envelope: The school features R-70+ roofs, R-40 walls, and R-30 floor slabs to minimize thermal loads and maximize energy efficiency. Rain screen siding and an active vapor-open weather-resistant barrier (WRB) are designed to enhance moisture and vapor management. Triple glazed windows and air sealing reduce drafts and chronic thermal stressors on students and faculty.
- All-Electric Mechanical Systems: The school operates without on-site fossil fuel combustion, using a high-efficiency, smart energy recovery ventilation (ERV) system that continuously monitors and adjusts indoor air quality.
- Material Health and Safety: Rigorous material selection was designed to eliminate harmful substances and create a chemically safe environment that supports cognitive and physical well-being.
- Ecological Site Strategies: The project includes extensive wetland restoration, native planting initiatives, and sustainable stormwater management to enhance local biodiversity and improve water quality.
The Ideas Lab is a place where hands-on learning, iterative making, and exploration can occur, both inside and outside.
Developing a school on a site bisected by wetlands posed significant challenges regarding site planning, permitting, and environmental conservation. The design team worked closely with environmental consultants and regulatory agencies to ensure the construction minimized ecological disruption. The strategic placement of the pedestrian bridge and buildings allowed for preserving wetland areas while maintaining connectivity across the site.
A joint initiative of AIA Connecticut and Connecticut Passive House, the Sustainable Architecture Awards program recognizes projects that address environmental challenges through thoughtful design. It celebrates work that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, lowers energy demand, conserves water, and contributes to healthier, more durable built environments. The 2025 jury commented that the Slate Upper School is “a beautifully executed project with thoughtful site strategy, strong material choices, and an impressive EUI of 22. The design celebrates mass timber and skillfully balances light and dark interior spaces. Clear attention to the Framework for Design Excellence supports a holistic sustainability approach, emphasizing natural and bio-based materials while substantially reducing energy use.”
Project Team
Architect: Patriquin Architects
Site/Civil/LA/Geo/Traffic: SLR Consulting
Structural Engineer: Girard & Company
MEP/FP Engineer + IT/Security: CES
Construction Management: Gilbane
Lighting Design: Gorecki Design Associates
