Jackson Street School Library

The library at the 1960s Jackson Street School was aging and underutilized, prompting a movement to update and modernize it.  TDA worked on this project pro bono, one of many community-oriented projects that TDA has undertaken on a volunteer basis since 1990.

TDA began our research with various stakeholders by conducting focus groups with teachers, students, administrators and parents.  This information was combined with contemporary theories of how libraries function in the 21st century, focusing on the creation of discreet spaces or classrooms that promote social interaction and collaboration.   

The library, which had consisted of a single large room containing rows of tall stacks with a few auxiliary offices, was intentionally divided into a series of classrooms-like spaces using only furniture and equipment to define those spaces.  The book stacks were reduced in height and many were removed to promote natural light in the low-ceilinged space and splashes of bright and vibrant colors were introduced to further enliven the library. 

Rendering of proposed design

Deerfield Academy Dining Hall

This dining hall project was a fast track, design-build venture for Deerfield Academy with Daniel O’Connell’s Sons Construction. There was a fire in the 18,000 square foot dining hall at Deerfield Academy which caused extensive damage to a large section of their dining hall. Deerfield chose to demolish the damaged part of the dining hall and rebuild a larger 2,000 square foot addition that would add seats and extended functionality to one of their most prominent buildings on campus.

Besides the architectural design of the brick façade, the scope of work also included custom historic lighting, rich floor finishes, sophisticated window treatments, casual seating designs and landscaped exterior terraces for the entire dining hall. The project cost was 2.5 million. Thomas Douglas Architects provided architectural, interior design and landscape design services for the interior and exterior of the building.

Smith College Conway House

The Conway House sits back from the road close to downtown Northampton, protected from traffic and surrounded by trees.  This new construction was built to provide apartments for non-traditional Smith College students, some with families.  The three story, 13,000 square foot building has ten two bedroom apartments, one of which is fully accessible, and several common areas for laundry, storage and socializing. 

The building is super-insulated and has large insulated triple-glazed windows that allow for plentiful daylighting but limit energy loss.  Interior finishes were chosen for their natural durability, beauty and environmental integrity - natural resilient flooring, Green Seal certified carpets and low VOC paints, adhesives, and composite materials.  Additionally, the building used an energy recovery ventilator to conserve energy as the fan ventilates the house. 

Sustainable Features:

Energy Efficiency:

• Very high insulation values – R-48 & R-56 Walls, R-70 ceiling (attic)

• Very high performance windows – all fiberglass construction, triple pane glass (R-7)

• Air tight detailing used extensively (Note: the building was “blower door tested” by Energy Star technicians reaching a level of tightness 3 times lower than minimum)

• Constant volume ventilation with energy recovery has been installed to maintain a fresh air supply. (This system continuously exhausts air from the bathrooms while fresh air is supplied to the corridors. Heat & moisture energy is recovered with equipment installed in the attic).

• Air conditioners, refrigerators and dishwashers are Energy Star rated.

• All lighting is compact fluorescent with a very low Watt to lumen ratio. The lamps were provided by the Energy Star program.

• Digital controls in each room control the heating system.

• Heating is provided by two, wall mounted gas fired boilers located in the lower level mechanical room. (They are modulating boilers, digitally controlled, that will produce heat based on outside air temperature and domestic hot water demand)

Materials:

• Wall insulation is made of expanded polystyrene. (The same material disposable coffee cups are made of).

• Attic insulation is blown cellulose treated with boric acid.

• All paints used are low VOC (volatile organic compound) or no VOC.

• Marmoleum floors were installed in kitchens, baths and corridors (no vinyl’s used) Marmoleum is made from primarily natural raw materials; linseed oil, rosins, and wood flour, calendered (pressed) onto a natural jute backing.

• Rubber base was used in the kitchen and bathroom not vinyl.

• Carpeting is made of nylon, constructed and installed using very low VOC glues.

A few other notes:

• The ceilings were raised higher than most residential buildings to accommodate a third sash. With taller windows, natural light can penetrate deeper into the rooms. Mini blinds were installed for best control of natural light and privacy.

• The buildings heating system is designed to accommodate the addition of solar thermal panels in the future.

Smith College Conference Center

TDA was retained to reimagine the former faculty club as a conference center serving the campus and larger communities.  Overlooking Paradise Pond, the low brick structure presented a forbidding façade toward the campus way that ran in front of it, punctuated only by a single door and a line of high, small windows.

TDA removed the original entry and replaced the front and rear walls with a glazing and a canopy, protecting the entry and providing views through the building to a rebuilt deck high above the pond.  A pergola was added in front of the long wall with the small windows, creating new visual interest and warmth in an otherwise uninviting façade.  The entry was made more attractive and modern with new stairs, a ramp, and plantings.  Thoughtful lighting interventions were made both inside and out to create a welcoming, warm destination for visitors.  

Smith College Gillette House

The Gillette House dining room and servery were terribly outdated. Thomas Douglas Architects worked closely with Dining Services and the students of Gillette House to design a fresh classic color scheme and to create a variety of seating options: large round tops, rectangular two-tops, and banquet seating. The serveries were also updated for this complete renovation of feeling, look, and function.

The new energy efficient light fixtures are decorative and cozy, and also define the room’s identity. Fabrics and flooring materials were chosen for their beauty and longevity in a high traffic environment. Thomas Douglas Architects has created an esthetic that is functional, esthetic and long lasting.

Smith College Cushing House

The Cushing House dining room and servery were terribly outdated. The décor was faux colonial and had the tired look of “grandma’s living room”. Thomas Douglas Architects worked closely with Dining Services and the students of the Cushing House. They opted for a fresh classic blue and cream color scheme, which we matched with cherry furniture and upholstered banquet seats. We provided a variety of seating options: large round tops, rectangular two-tops, and banquet seating. The serveries were also updated for this complete renovation of feeling, look, and function.

The new energy efficient light fixtures are decorative and cozy, and also define the room’s identity. Fabrics and flooring materials were chosen for their beauty and longevity in a high traffic environment. Thomas Douglas Architects has created an esthetic that is functional, esthetic and long lasting. 

Forbes Library Elevator

Forbes Library, a 19th century Richardsonian Romanesque landmark in downtown Northampton, had an enclosed vestibule with an old rickety and temperamental wheelchair lift.  The brief was to design a reliable, modern elevator that would fit well with the beautiful stonework of the original building and vestibule.  Through an RFP process, TDA’s proposal was selected on the strength of our extensive historic preservation portfolio and our experience with sensitive interventions in adapting existing buildings to modern requirements.  

The resulting design adapted a standard elevator to fit in the tight confines of the vestibule that fit well with the period of the building.  Avoiding the typical materials associated with elevators, such as CMU or concrete walls, an ornamental metal “birdcage” was designed to enclose the elevator and to structurally support the elevator rails.  The fourth wall is all glass, allowing light to enter from every side of the elevator and visitors to see through the cage, highlighting the artistry of the metalwork. 

Smith College Admissions Office

This house was the former home of Smith College’s Physical Plant Director. Over the years, it was slowly transformed into offices and then became the Admissions Department, but the time came for Smith to give it a more professional and modern look, allowing new students and parents a first glimpse inside the historic college.

Thomas Douglas Architects designed a complete gut-renovation of the interior and exterior of the former house in the center of the Smith campus. The renovated first floor is used for presentations and conferences given by the Admissions Department. The space is also an actively used as a conference space for the college in general.

Smith College Emerson House

The Smith College community works hard to create a distinct personality for each of their dormitory “house” dining halls. Accordingly, we took the opportunity of this complete renovation to go straight to the students to find out what colors, fabrics and seating arrangements would work best for them.

At Emerson House the students were ready to do away with old-fashioned wallpaper and to fill their new space with warm oranges and yellows combined with the solid contrast of dark woods. Round six-top tables, rectangular two-tops and cozy banquette seating were chosen to break up the room. The energy efficient custom lighting is accented by mirrors and provides a social, homey feel.

Thomas Douglas Architects has created an aesthetic that is functional and long lasting. 

Smith College Chapin House

The Chapin House Dormitory stands in the center of Smith College and serves as a “grab and go” lunch place for the entire campus and as a quiet dinner spot for Chapin House residents. As such, TDA was engaged in this complete renovation to create an atmosphere that included the energy, mood and high traffic of lunch and the quiet warmth of a cozy dinner.

TDA’s designs incorporate a color scheme that uses custom, energy efficient lighting to accent the existing limed oak beams and a variety of seating choices encased in beautiful and durable fabrics. This old fashioned space was brought up to date with a new look that matches the vibe of today’s Smith College and a functionality that meets the needs of its students, faculty and staff.

Deerfield Academy Bewkes House

This historic house on the Deerfield Campus has been home to many different uses over its history. Deerfield Academy worked with Douglas Architects to reconfigure the first floor from offices to single and double occupancy rooms for students. The interiors were original to the house, complete with ornate crown moldings and fireplaces. The new design had to respect the historic detailing while accommodating a new use from many more occupants.