TMS Architects Leads Redesign & Expansion of The Governor’s Academy Peter Marshall French Student Center

We’re proud to announce that The Governor’s Academy Peter Marshall French Student Center Redesign and Expansion in Newbury, MA is slated to break ground at the end of January 2020 with a targeted completion date of mid-August 2020.  The Academy has selected Shawmut Design + Construction out of Boston, Massachusetts to serve as Construction Manager and General Contractor for the project.

“The entire team at Shawmut has been great to work with so far,” said TMS Project Manager Josh White. “Their attention to detail as we worked through the final stages of Construction Documents was helpful and insightful while always being cognizant of the over design for the project.”

TMS Architects has worked with the Academy since the mid-1980’s on various buildings around the campus, including the 2005 addition to the Student Center that included the Great Hall and Faculty Residence.

The original building was constructed over 40 years ago and has been renovated several times.  When completed, the newly renovated Student Center will serve as a core component of student activity and campus programming.  Major project elements include a newly enclosed multifunctional atrium space, along with an updated café and lounge.  Added program elements will include a wellness studio, day-student storage lockers along with showers and changing rooms and a revitalized entrance and an outdoor terrace.

In describing the project’s impact on the student population, Dean of Students Jed Wartman had this to say, “The question asked on a weekend night by our students will shift from ‘what’s going on tonight?’ to ‘when should we meet at the student center?’ Our students need a comfortable and flexible place to call their own—a place for clubs to meet, a place for a game of ping pong, a place to play music, and a place to grab a bite to eat. We are really excited about this renovation and how it will transform the experience of our students.”

Job Captain and Designer for the project Andrew Schrag describes the aesthetic of the project as: “Bring the outside in! The existing building has an unused courtyard that in almost completely enclosed on all four sides. So our concept is to fully enclose the space and take full advantage of the once outdoor space and transform it into a multi-functional indoor space. But we didn’t lose sight of the existing courtyard, we kept the outdoor feel by adding a large skylight, used clapboards and natural wood materials and added plenty of areas for vegetation. Ultimately creating a space for students that will bring a portion of the outdoor environment into their daily school routines.”

Read The Governer’s Academy announcement here.

Take a look at 3D renderings of the renovated and expanded student center…