Contextual Design

Thornton Academy Main Street Dormitories, Saco

Adaptive ReuseCondition AssessmentContextual DesignHistoric PreservationMaster PlanningNew Construction

The initial design challenge was to integrate a new building type and new construction form into the historic campus. The designs respond to the historic context of Main Street in the Saco Historic Preservation District as well as a predominately red brick campus, which has evolved via several construction campaigns during its nearly 125 year history. The residential quality of other Main Street (and Academy) houses and historic detailing from the campus’ education buildings informed our design. We believe this approach has achieved a dormitory and future village that complements both the community of Saco and the Academy.

Locating the first dormitory building – Nelson Residence Hall – on a previously unoccupied lawn at the campus’ main entrance, now forms a gateway to the historic campus. The long axis of the dormitories faces south-southwest for optimal solar exposure and frames the entry to campus create greens or courtyards between each of the proposed buildings. The street façades, of this and the forthcoming buildings, are designed to establish the street rhythm found on Main Street south of the campus.

Nelson Residence Hall, completed in Summer 2009, is constructed with durable standing seam roofs and fiber-cement cladding in neutral colors that acknowledge existing patterns and textures found on campus buildings without resorting to mimicking the brick, which the project’s budget could not justify.

A tight building envelope with high thermal insulation performance was achieved with the use of ICF (insulated concrete forms) for the foundation and first floor walls and conventional framing with dense pack cellulose insulation at the second-floor level. The use of ICF benefits the interior architecture as its wall depth creates deep recesses at the windows adding a layer of space for use by the residents. ICF also allowed an economical and seamless construction season as the contractor was able to pour concrete walls throughout the winter without concern for special freeze protection. The ICF walls achieved a R-48, far exceeding any current energy code.

Cathedral Church of St. Luke

AdditionsContextual DesignHistoric Preservation

The additions to this historic Gothic Revival structure required careful consideration of materials and design details. The color and texture of the brick and mortar were painstakingly matched and the material for the decorative window surrounds, tinted precast concrete, was selected as an economical material that would relate well to the existing Nova Scotia sandstone on the original building. New mechanical, electrical and structural systems, as well as a fire suppression system, were carefully integrated into the existing structures and new additions. Two new fire stairs with exits directly to the outside provided continued use of the second story assembly space, which was previously not up to code.

Nancy Barba designed and managed the extensive new construction following the major parish house fire at St. Luke’s in 1986. Her innovative solutions to challenging handicap accessibility issues were inspired… Her real gifts are in sensitive adaptation for historic buildings… Both Nancy and Cynthia have keen liturgical sensitivity which is so important in adapting liturgical space.

– Stephen W. Foote, Retired Dean of St. Luke’s Cathedral

In the course of design, we discovered the parish hall to have an immense tin ceiling, which was readily restorable. Additions within the hall accommodated chair storage, a library, a kitchenette for coffee hour service and the fire stairs. These interior “additions” were designed with lower ceiling/roof structures to allow the ceiling to remain uninterrupted.

In its recognition for the project with an honor award, Greater Portland Landmarks noted, “At a time when many churches are struggling with decisions regarding preservation, St. Luke’s has demonstrated leadership in recognizing the value of their historic buildings and the critical importance of ongoing and sensitive maintenance. Not only has outstanding restoration work been undertaken on the Cathedral and Codman Chapel, recent renovations to the fire-damaged Cathedral Hall have been carefully considered. The design of the Hall’s new addition is both contemporary and respectful of its historic context…”

Friends’ Central School, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania

Adaptive ReuseCondition AssessmentContextual DesignHistoric Preservation

The carriage house for the original estate – c. 1885 – was an “underperforming asset” that now has a new life for great creative ventures with its complete adaptive re-use!

The “Light Lab” was designed with four maker spaces in the areas of: natural sciences, fabrication, media and computing, and design.

Because the original building had been so extensively altered, the School opted for a complete removal of interior walls and finishes, taking the spaces down to their masonry bearing walls. From this B+W was able to add back a completely continuous thermal envelope and new second floor structure, and new fully integrated mechanical, plumbing, electrical, sprinkler and fire alarm systems. It is essentially an all-new building inside. Part of our work included an investigation of the thermal dynamics of the wall construction to assure that the new work would not affect the long-term performance and viability of the original walls.

The Mechanical engineer explored multiple options for energy systems including geothermal and ended up determining that the best system for this project would be mini-split heat pumps.

As part of a Lower Merion Township historic district, the review board required restored windows on the sides visible to the public way. The balance of windows were new replacement windows, with details to complement the historic windows.

We removed a later garage shed uncovering the original form to create a U-Shaped plan with an outdoor courtyard. The new layout naturally lent itself to a welcoming entry, elevator, stair and bathrooms; as the central core it creates a wonderful mixing bowl of activity between classes.

Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania’s Historical Commission Historic Preservation Award, 2017.

Maine Maritime Museum

AdditionsContextual DesignMaster Planning

Because of the highly sensitive preservation needs of the historic Fresnel Lens, the addition is a “black box” theater. The addition is sited to be embedded in a developed courtyard inside the MMM complex.

The building, in essence, is designed around the exhibit and creates an immersion experience for the public. While there are many lens displays in various institutions throughout the U.S., this is the first gallery of its type known where the lens is celebrated, interpreted, and set in an exhibit that simulates the visitor experience of standing on the lantern tower deck. Sound, sights, smells, and tactile references are all part of the design. The curator and architects worked closely together to create this experience with a parabolic screen as a key element of the design.

Not only designed around the exhibit, the addition fits securely within the tight parameters of the existing building and is clad in durable slate siding and copper roofing.

Simply put, if you have imagined what it might be like to experience serene and stormy scenes from atop a lighthouse – all the while basking in the warm glow of a breathtaking Fresnel lens, then the Maine Maritime Museum’s Into the Lantern exhibit is for YOU!

The recreated majesty of Cape Elizabeth’s lantern is literally stunning. This one-of-a-kind experience will astound the visitor with its exquisite beauty, detail and ability to transport admirers back in time when lighthouse keepers kept a vigilant eye seaward as they helped protect the mariner from the perils of the sea. If you desire one lighthouse experience that will prove to be both amazing and memorable, then Into the Lantern is a must-see!
– Bob Trapani, Executive Director, American Lighthouse Foundation

Merrill Memorial Library

AdditionsContextual DesignHistoric PreservationMaster Planning

Merrill Memorial Library, originally constructed to A.W. Longfellow, Jr.’s plans in 1904; together with its 1987-88 addition comprise 16,000 sf on three floors. The Yarmouth Historical Society’s move from their long-time location on the third floor, opened up the Library’s options for internal expansion, leading to the need for a master plan involving the entire library. Barba + Wheelock began work with the Trustees and Renovation Committee in 2011, developing a phased master plan, fund raising renderings and cost estimates.

The project includes restoration and rehabilitation of the third floor as meeting space for 50+ people, retaining much of the “time capsule” historical feel and details. Other aspects include code improvements to better meet the Americans with Disability Act and State fire codes. The project has evolved to include a compatible new entry addition, both a welcoming gesture, much needed gathering space, as well as improvement upon safer public and staff access in all weather conditions.

The community has embraced the lecture hall on the third floor as a coveted space for presentations, films and a variety of group meetings. The new entry is another much appreciated feature that provides a casual gathering space, and as a result, contributes to the continued vibrancy in use of an iconic historic building.

The renovation gave the Library a heightened visibility within the community and in turn gave the community an increased sense of ownership. Combined with the deliberate eye to preservation of the 1904 finishes, there is a true feeling of community pride in the building.
–Heidi Grimm, Library Director

The library reopened in Fall 2014 with a project cost of $2.5 Million.

In 2016, both Maine Preservation and Greater Portland Landmarks honored the project with preservation honor awards.

Parsons Memorial Library, Alfred Maine

AdditionsContextual DesignHistoric Preservation

The addition nearly doubles the size of the Library adding approximately 3,000 square feet for adult and young adult reading rooms, a children’s room, circulation desk and workroom, and a public meeting room. The addition solves the need for handicapped accessibility with new on-grade entrances, an elevator, and a relocated circulation desk with an added ADA compliant section. The public meeting room is on the lower level allowing separate, secure, after-hour use.

Contextual Design

Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania’s Historical Commission Historic Preservation Award, 2017.

In 2016, both Maine Preservation and Greater Portland Landmarks honored the project with preservation honor awards.

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