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New England Design architect's rendering of The Rectory School project.
POMFRET — Work will begin shortly on The Rectory School’s expansion of the Grosvenor House and Entrance Drive reconfiguration.
The town of Pomfret recently approved the school’s plans.
The Grosvenor House Admissions Office has been the first impression of the campus for decades. Currently the approach to this building from a small secondary entrance offers a poor first impression and limited parking, according to Headmaster Frederick W. Williams.
The proposed Admissions Office Addition and Entrance Drive will relocate the entrance to the north side of the building, directly off the main campus entrance. This approach will showcase the lush landscape with champion trees and classic New England architectural character. The new tree-lined entrance drive will wind from the center of campus past the white clapboard-sided dorms with the signature bell tower to the new addition and its own designated parking area. The new, fully accessible building entrance will have a light-filled reception area with a conference room, a Rectory School interactive video presentation, and a gently curving glass wall that leads past the Admissions reception and offices to the historic waiting area in the 1792 house with its great hearth and majestic staircase.
Williams said, the exterior design of the addition takes its cues from existing architectural forms and details found on the adjacent buildings. Gabled roofs, divided light windows, and white siding all complement the existing campus character. Flanked by stone walls and Doric columns supporting a cedar trellis, the new entrance will provide a warm welcome.
Rectory Alumnus Kevin Tubridy of New England Design, Inc. designed the new Admissions Expansion, part of the first phase of Rectory’s new Master Plan, with the direction of the Facility Committee, Administration and Faculty. Tubridy said, “All of the proposed buildings and renovations will achieve a very high performance status, which will be accomplished by using the latest sustainable design principals.”
The architect for this project is Karl Norton Architect, LLC of Mansfield and the site engineering was done by CME Associates, Inc. of Woodstock.
Williams added the construction of the building should be completed by early 2013. “The Rectory School is indebted to Kevin Tubridy ’60 and New England Design for its role in translating our hopes and ideas into this Master Plan. We are most fortunate to have their creative genius working on our behalf, and we are grateful for their assistance.”