North Haven, CT – Local officials from the State of Connecticut recently joined the Slate School community and representatives from Patriquin Architects and Gilbane Building Company to celebrate the official topping out of the 25,000sf Slate Upper School.
Once complete, the new 2-story facility will accommodate up to 90 students in grades 7-12 with inquiry-based educational programming focused on nature conversancy, which focuses on cultivating creativity, fostering ingenuity, and inspiring a deep passion for lifelong learning. Learning spaces within the new facility are designed with flexibility in mind; they are designed to be open and collaborative and to foster student exploration. They include access to natural light and overlook the campus landscape.
“The Slate School is the embodiment of how the powers of design vision and team collaboration can be truly transformative. Patriquin Architects have been privileged to work with the Slate School community since its inception in 2017 and during its remarkable growth. It was both humbling and gratifying to see the excitement and enthusiasm of the children, parents, and educators as the Upper School’s beam was raised in place and the project took one step closer to completion. We look forward to another celebration in 2024 when the doors open for the first time,” said Paolo Campos, AIA, NOMA, project manager at Patriquin Architects.
“We’re proud to reach this milestone in the construction of Slate’s Upper School,” said John Hawley, vice president and business unit leader for Gilbane in Connecticut. “We appreciate the hard work of our entire team that has brought us to this point. We look forward to safely completing the project and the future impact the school will have on its students.”
Environmentally friendly features of the building include an orientation and window design that allows for solar gain; robust wall and roof assemblies to minimize thermal loads; and low-carbon, healthy materials, used to contribute to the well-being of building occupants and the environment.
“Witnessing and actively participating in the extraordinary journey of Slate School has been an honor for us. The trust our clients have placed in us is both humbling and inspiring. Collaborating closely with the construction team to bring our shared vision to life, we eagerly anticipate the moment when the building transforms into a beloved school for students and educators alike,” said Karin Patriquin, AIA, LEED AP, CPHC, Fitwel, president at Patriquin Architects.
Slate Upper School is slated for completion by August 2024.
