Church Farm School is blessed with a strong and beautiful core of historic buildings, originally laid out by Milton Medary in 1918. However, the boarding school needed a campus plan approved by the local Township to comply with a previous zoning agreement set to expire.

VMA worked closely with user groups to develop the program that would influence the components of a comprehensive plan that would be driven by the school’s unique mission. The team produced conditions assessments and feasibility to guide decision-making. In addition, the plan required VMA to address the school’s historic district and new stormwater regulations. The overall plan was successfully adopted by the school’s Trustees and the Township in record time.

VMA’s design met Church Farm’s goal to create a pedestrian-only core with a new quad and to reorient the main entrance. This creates a dynamic and prominent entry to the main academic building to face the new entry, quad, and an Arts Center. On the south side of campus, we created a strong residential zone by bringing all the faculty housing to campus, consolidating the historic dorms into larger structures with more amenities. In addition, a new Student Center will serve as the social hub for faculty and student housing.

Recently completed  are the new entry and parking landscape improvements; the Arts Center; a facilities building; and the renovations and additions to the main academic building, Greystock Hall. 

PUBLICATIONS

• "Church Farm School Launches $15 million Modernization Project." The Mercury, February 28, 2019