Gwynedd Mercy Academy was built as a single-story structure in the 1960’s. VMA’s comprehensive plan for this independent girl’s school identified the need for music and arts classrooms and a learning commons to alleviate overcrowding and to improve the overall organization of the school. The addition, built at the north end of the existing building as the first phase of the plan’s implementation, forms a beautiful cloistered outdoor space. It provided the music department with a large classroom which doubles as recital space, an adjacent office, instrument storage and practice rooms. The fine arts department 2D studio and photo lab was situated adjacent to the ceramics studio and kiln room; a windowed partition separates the spaces allowing supervision by a single faculty member. All the arts rooms have full height north facing windows offering great diffused light and a view into the woods beyond. A new library/ learning commons and a tiered-seating classroom complete the new wing. Additional renovations were made to existing spaces to accommodate faculty offices, meeting rooms, classrooms and a study hall.

Awards

Associated Builders and Contractors Southeast Pennsylvania Chapter, Excellence in Construction Award, 1999