by ArchitectureWeek

In the "Granite State" of New Hampshire, the annual AIA awards program has recognized a series of projects that reflect the character of New England: muscular architecture to withstand a harsh climate and to protect the warm and inviting environments within.

The New Hampshire Chapter of the American Institute of Architects announced in January 2006 its yearly Excellence in Architecture awards. One of the honor awards went to a pair of projects: the new North High School and the renovated 30-year-old South High School in Nashua, designed by Lavallee Brensinger Architects.

The jurors awarded the two projects together because they "strengthen each other and solved the district's problem of making the two schools equal although one is new and one is old. Both have very high quality, warm, and activated interiors that do not look institutional."

The new Nashua High School North is a three-story, 443,000-square-foot (41,000-square-meter) comprehensive high school that includes an integrated regional technology program. The design is based on a "main street" — providing informal gathering spaces for students and security — with a gymnasium and auditorium anchoring the ends. A variety of special use and assembly spaces are also used by the community off hours. Intersecting the main street are two classroom wings, "learning neighborhoods," with their own administration offices.   >>>

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SUBSCRIPTION SAMPLE The New Science Center at Keene (New Hampshire) State College, designed by Mitchell/Giurgola Architects LLP and Banwell Architects, Inc., received an Honor Award from the New Hampshire Chapter of the AIA. Photo: Jeff Goldberg/ Esto Existing (left) and new (right) floor plans of the New Science Center. Image: Mitchell|Giurgola Architects   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.