Hill School Master Plan 2013

1. campus master plan report | 2013

2. Headmaster’s Vision Statement
“Over the next 10 years, while staying very true to our core
values, The Hill School will re-imagine and redefine a liberal
arts secondary school education. We will combine all of
the powerful ideals encompassed by ‘The Family Boarding
School’ with the best and most innovative practices of 21st
century teaching and learning. People will simultaneously
describe The Hill as the most traditional and most innovative
secondary school in the country. In doing so, we will attract
the most capable students and the most talented teachers
from around the world; our students will be the most highly
sought after college applicants; and we will generate
unprecedented financial support from our alumni, parents,
and other donors. The Hill will be a school built out of
character.”
Zachary G. Lehman, Headmaster

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Table of Contents
Cover 1
Headmaster’s Statement 2
Table of Contents 3
Campus Master Plan 4
Campus Master Plan Legend 5
Objectives 6
Areas of Investigation 7-9
Character of Campus 10
Buildings That Contribute 11
Major Themes 13
Academic Space 13-23
Widener Humanities Building 18
Widener Visual Arts Building 19
Academic Building 20
STEAM Center 21
Library 22-23
Student Life Facilities 24-33
Dining Hall, Chapel, Meeting Spaces, Day Students 27
Residential Life 28-29
Athletics 30-32
Faculty Housing 33
Open Space Enhancements 34-37
Campus Connectivity 38-39
Campus Parking 40-41
Sustainability 42
Budget 43
Summary 45
Appendix 47
Mission Statement
The Hill School prepares young men and women from across the country
and around the world for college, careers, and life. Within a family school
environment and a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, we challenge our young
people to work hard; think and reason; be fulfilled; serve the common good;
and be prepared to lead as citizens of the world, uniquely guided by our
motto, “Whatsoever Things Are True.”
Definition of a Master Plan
A commonly accepted definition of a Campus Master Plan is as follows:
A comprehensive plan for physical development, based on a needs
assessment that reflects the school’s mission, its academic plan, history,
and culture. It justifies and describes the function, size, cost, location, and
sequence of development for new construction, renovation of existing
facilities, and site enhancements.
Excerpts From The Strategic Plan
Within our core mission of preparing our students for college, careers, and
life as citizens of the world in the 21st century, we commit The Hill School to a
thorough review of its priorities, with the goal of being the preeminent family
boarding school in the nation, true to its ideals and ambitious for its future.
Students
Ensure that our students thrive in dormitory facilities befitting The Hill’s high
standards.
Educational Program
Undertake a wise, enlightened examination of our educational program.
Faculty
Meet the need for first-class faculty housing.
Campus
We will enhance our world-class campus by creating a premier Science,
Technology, Engineering, Aesthetics, and Mathematics (STEAM) center;
adding new classrooms for humanities subjects; expanding our athletics
facilities; and infusing our facilities with cutting-edge technologies.
Campus Master Plan
The Hill will review, validate, and as needed revise the Campus Master Plan
by January 2014.

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Campus Master Plan
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5. Buildings
Existing Campus Buildings
1. The Alumni Chapel
2. The Center For The Arts
3. David H. Mercer Field House
4. Gatehouse
5. Dining Hall
6. Sweeney Gymnasium
7. Edward Tuck Hall Hockey Arena
8. Meigs House: Admission Office
9. John P. Ryan Library
10. Academic Center
11. Widener Humanities Building
12. Garage
13. Widener Arts and Crafts Building
14. Dell Village Dormitories
15. Dutch Village Dormitories
16. Foster Dormitory
17. Rolfe Dormitory
18. Wendell Dormitory
19. Hunt Upper School
20. Sherrill Guest House
21. Class of 1960 Alumni House
22. East Campus Faculty Village
23. McCune Lodge
24. Pine Court
25. Pine House
Proposed Campus Buildings
30. STEAM Center
31. North Athletics Center Entrance and Wrestling Center
32. New Dormitories
33. Lehrman Pavilion
34. Aquatics Center
Open Space
Existing Open Space
40. Academic Quad
41. Varsity Soccer Pitch
42. The Dell Field
43. Far Fields
Proposed Open Space
44. “The Green”
45. Meigs Quad
46. Sweeney Quad
47. Amphitheater
Existing Campus Buildings
Proposed New Construction
Proposed Renovation of Existing/Recently Renovated Campus Buildings

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Objectives
There are four primary objectives of the Campus Master Plan: to
Preserve, Unify, Enhance, and Steward.
Preserve
To preserve the essential character and quality of the core campus
as defined by the main academic quadrangle and its surrounding
buildings, the Chapel, Academic Center, Upper School, and Library.
To renovate these and other buildings on campus - such as Widener,
Sweeney, and Wendell - to ensure they will serve The Hill School into the
next century.
Unify
To unify the center of the main campus, defined by the Chapel, Library,
Upper School, and Academic Center, with the other parts of campus,
including the CFTA, the Athletics Complex, the Far Fields, the Green in
front of Rolfe and Foster Dormitories, and the west campus. To design
and renovate the campus buildings and open space to create a unified
campus experience.
Enhance
To enhance the character and quality of the campus by building new
facilities that make The Hill School a leader in education, and creating
new, high quality open spaces and landscaped, pedestrian pathways
that enhance the campus experience.
Steward
To ensure long-term stewardship of The Hill’s School’s invaluable campus
resources and qualities by developing (1) a campus sustainability plan
that will make it more carbon neutral and (2) design guidelines that will
provide clear direction for the renovation of existing facilities and the
design of all future facilities and open spaces.

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Areas of Investigation
The Campus Master Plan identified seven areas where the
cohesiveness and quality of the campus have been compromised.
The “Delta” | 1
The “Delta is the area around the Music House where all the
driveways and parking areas merge into a sea of asphalt. The
area is confusing for motorists and dangerous for pedestrians.
It is not in keeping with the character of the core campus.
The Campus Master Plan recommends removing most of this
pavement, keeping only essential roadways, reducing the number
of curb cuts, and restoring the area to a more pedestrian-friendly,
landscaped green space.
CFTA Disconnect | 2
The Center For The Arts is a useful facility in terms of the teaching/
learning spaces it provides for The Hill School community. It
does not, however, contribute to the character and quality of
the campus as a whole. It is large and bulky, and was built with
materials that are not in character with the central campus.
It reads as “a building apart” from the campus, rather than a
“building of” the campus.
We recommend that the south face of the building be removed
and re-built to provide improved entrance, lobby, and
handicapped accessibilty, as well as a more compatible design in
character with the core campus buildings.
Quad/Mercer Connection | 3
It is not easy to get from the main academic quadrangle to the
south entrance of the athletics complex. For one of the most
frequently travelled routes during a student’s day, he or she must
navigate two steep sets of stairs, cross a road, and walk through
two parking areas to get to the front door of the athletics center.
We recommend removing the parking and pavement at the west
end of the Upper School Building, as well as some of the parking in
front of Mercer, to create a more pedestrian-friendly connection
between the Main Quad and Mercer.

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Classroom Building | 4
The Classroom Building was originally built as the infirmary. It was
moved to its current site in 1919, and is now being used as classroom
space for the Classics and History Departments. The shape,
dimension, and configuration of this building are not suitable for
modern classroom spaces. Many of the classrooms are L-shaped;
others are so small they can barely fit 10 students. The building is also
in disrepair, especially the foundations and some structural elements.
It is our recommendation that the building be removed as soon as
practical.
Residential Green | 5
This large open area is poorly defined and not consistent with the
character and quality of the main quadrangle. The track and field
were removed in the summer of 2013 to make way for a new grass
soccer field. We recommend that the space be more clearly defined
by planting large shade trees around its entire perimeter. This will
unify the space and give it the feel of a large outdoor room when
entered.
Entrance | 6
The entrance to campus is along a serpentine driveway that follows
the edge of the Dell. The driveway and views of the Dell are lovely,
however the view of the former hockey pavilion in front of Sweeney
is disappointing, and does not reflect the quality of spaces and
views that occur in the central part of campus. We recommend
removing the hockey roof, building a new green quadrangle space
in front of Sweeney, and restoring the exterior of Sweeney to its
former grandeur. We also recommend removing the concrete block
retaining walls along the entrance drive and replacing them with
stone walls, more in keeping with the character and quality of the
central campus.
Dining Hall Bottleneck | 7
The Dining Hall and Pantry are limiting factors to the growth and
development of the School. At midday meals, every table is filled to
capacity with chairs so tightly spaced it is difficult to get in and out.
The Pantry is small and outdated and the kitchen is split between
two floors with only dumbwaiters to connect them. We recommend
expanding the size of the Dining Hall, reconfiguring the Pantry, and
installing a service elevator so the primary cooking functions can be
be more efficiently organized in the basement.

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Character of Campus
The four buildings facing the main academic quadrangle are
good examples of the types of buildings that contribute to the
character and quality of the main campus. They share many
things in common: they are all darker masonry buildings, they all
have vertical proportions, they are well designed with significant
levels of detail and interest, and they all are built with high quality
materials. There are other buildings on campus that contribute to
this character as well, including the Widener Buildings, Sweeney
Gymnasium, and Wendell Dormitory.
Several building do not contribute to the character of the campus.
The CFTA is one of those buildings, not because it is more modern
but because it does not have a complimentary pallet of materials,
has more horizontal proportions, and uses colors and materials
that are not consistent with the main campus buildings. For
example, the white handrails, doors, and window frames conflict
with the colors and details of the main campus buildings, making
them stand out as separate from the campus, not as part of the
campus. The Rolfe and Foster dormitories are further examples of
buildings that do not contribute to the character and quality of
“place” that is The Hill School. They are nice buildings, but they are
more colonial in character. They do not fit well on The Hill School
campus because they have red brick instead of the darker brick
and stone of the central campus buildings and they have more
horizontal proportions. Planting large shade trees in front of Rolfe
and Foster will help mitigate these differences and make them less
disruptive to the overall character of the campus.
Materials and Identifying Characteristics
There is a pallet of materials that contribute to the character of The Hill
School campus buildings. They include darker masonry material such
as dark brown brick and brownstone, grey slate roofs, limestone and
precast concrete trim and window frames, and copper trim and roofs.
Brick
The darker reddish-brown brick of
the Widener Buildings, the Academic
building, the Sweeney Gymnasium, and
Wendell Dormitory is the dominant brick
and color on campus.
Brownstone
Brownstone laid in an ashlar pattern can
be seen on the Chapel, the Hunt Upper
School Building, and the Library.
Limestone
Used as trim and accents on buildings
like the Widener Science and Arts
buildings and the Sweeney Gymnasium.
Slate
Slate was used for the roof tiles on the
Widener buildings, the Chapel, Sweeney
Gymnasium, and the Academic Center.
Copper
Used for roof trim, flashing, gutters, and
downspouts, the copper has weathered
to a beautiful verdi gris color over time.

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Buildings Contributing to the Character of Campus Buildings Not in the Character of Campus
Academic Center
Hunt Upper School Dormitory
John P. Ryan Library
Center For The Arts
covered outdoor parking/old ice rink
Rolfe and Foster Dormitories
exposed chiller and mechanical equipment

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Major Themes
Academic Space
The Campus Master Plan recommends a dramatic re-organization
of the teaching/learning spaces on campus including a new
STEAM Building, re-purposing of the Widener Science building for
humanities studies, and the return of studio arts to the Widener Arts
and Crafts building.
Student Life Facilities
Improvements are recommended for the Dining Hall, Chapel, and
facilities used for the residential life, athletics, day students, and
faculty housing programs, to enhance The Family Boarding School
experience for all students, faculty, and staff.
Open Space Enhancements
Building on the strength of the existing open spaces in the center
of the main campus, the Campus Master Plan recommends the
creation of several new quadrangles to connect all areas of the
campus in a series of connected open spaces.
Improved Connectivity
The Plan proposes changes to strengthen pedestrian connections
between open spaces and a reduction in the amount of vehicular
traffic and pavement throughout campus. It also recommends
improvements to the south entrance roads from High Street to
allow service vehicles to access the Dining Hall without driving
through campus.
Sustainability
Beginning with a five-point campus sustainability plan, the Campus
Master Plan outlines a long-term vision for how the campus can
become more sustainable. The Plan includes design guidelines to
ensure quality and consistency of the campus architecture and
green spaces.

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Academic Spaces
The Campus Master Plan recommends a dramatic reorganization of the
teaching/learning spaces on campus.
Widener Humanities | 1
The Widener Science building is not well-suited for long-term use as
a science building. The configuration and dimensions of the building
do not lend themselves to modern science classroom spaces. It is our
recommendation that The Hill School build a new science building (see
STEAM Center, below) and repurpose the Widener Science building as a
classroom building for the Humanities.
Widener Connector | 2
A two-story connector building is proposed between the Widener
Science and Widener Arts buildings, connecting the lower and first floors
of the two buildings to each other. The connector is envisioned as a
double height atrium-like space where students can see other student
work on display, and collaborate with each other across disciplines.
Widener Visual Arts | 3
The studio arts will move back to the center of campus in this renovation
plan for the Widener Arts building. The first floor will include a meeting
room/gallery for 125 students, a Harkness room, and a third classroom
space. The lower floor will continue to house the traditional elements
of the wood shop, and will also house new 3-D design and ceramic
studios. The “maker” elements of the wood shop and the electronic
media studio will move to the new STEAM building. The second floor will
become 2-D design, drawing, and painting studios, and the mezzanine
will become two private studio spaces.
Academic Center | 4
The Academic Center is a traditional, teacher-centric style, double-
loaded corridor classroom building. It is very crowded between classes
with no place to sit down and share information or ideas between
students and faculty, and no “break out” spaces for students to
work independently or in small groups. We recommend removing
two classrooms per floor to create a more contemporary learning
environment, similar to the spaces shown in the Widener Humanities
Building study (see page 18).
academic buildings highlighted

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STEAM Center | 5
The Campus Master Plan recommends building a new science,
technology, engineering, aesthetics, and mathematics building on the
site of the Classroom Building. The new building will provide modern,
flexible, collaborative learning spaces for the integration of the sciences,
math, technology, design, and fabrication under one roof. Due to the
steep slope of the site we recommend building a full level of parking
for approximately 90-100 cars underneath the building. This will further
enhance the campus by removing pavement and reducing the impact
of vehicles on the pedestrian campus environment.
Classroom Building
This building is not well-suited for academic or residential use. Its shape
and geometry do not lend themselves to good quality classrooms or
dormitory rooms. There are also observable water and structural problems
on the lower level. We recommend that it be removed to create a site for
the new STEAM Center.
CFPA | 6
With the moving of the studio arts back to the Widener Building, the CFTA
will become a Performing Arts facility, the CFPA. The building’s design is
not compatible with the main campus architecture, and there has been
a good deal of discussion about what could be done to improve it. At
this point, the Campus Master Plan recommends a complete renovation
of the south facade of the building, to create a better entrance, lobby,
and architecturally compatible facade overlooking the Dell. Other
recommended improvements include converting the vacated art
studio into a vocal rehearsal studio and a new addition on the side of
the theater designed for use as a “black box” theater for 200 people.
Additional set, prop, and costume storage is needed and can be
included in the addition. New lighting and dimming systems are planned
for 2013/2014, as well as safety improvements to the overhead catwalk
areas and the stage fire curtain. Choral rehearsals will move from the
Music House to the CFPA, freeing up the Music House for use as a Day
Student or Welcoming Center.
Library | 7
The Campus Master Plan proposes interior renovation to the library
to create a more 21st century library experience for The Hill School
community. Changes include the creation of more “active” social and
interactive learning spaces on the main and lower floors, and more
“quiet” individual and group study spaces on the mezzanine and second
floors.

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Widener Humanities Building
The Widener Science Building will be re-purposed for classes in the
humanities. The building currently does not work well for the way the
sciences are being taught today. Science classrooms need to be larger
and “bi-nuclear” with laboratory space on one end and teaching/
collaborative space on the other. The geometry of the Widener Science
Building does not allow for this arrangement, and is better suited for more
traditional classroom use.
The Campus Master Plan calls for the removal of the Classroom Building
on the north side of the Residential Green, which currently houses the
Classics and History. There are 10 classrooms in the Classroom Building that
could all be moved to the Widener building. The three religious studies
classrooms that are in the basement of the Wendell Dormitory could also
be moved to Widener.
The renovated Widener Humanities Building will include a library/lounge/
Harkness classroom on the first floor, seven large classrooms, six small
classrooms, eight study rooms, and a 50-seat auditorium. It will also include
six double faculty offices, a faculty break room, and a copy center.
proposed first floor plan configuration
proposed lower floor plan configuration
proposed second floor plan configuration
proposed third floor plan configuration

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proposed mezzanine level floor plan
Widener Visual Arts Building
The Campus Master Plan proposes returning the studio arts program to the
Widener Arts and Crafts Building and the center of campus, where it resided
before the construction of the Center For The Arts (CFTA) complex. The
renovation plan for Widener Arts includes renovating the lower floor for a
fine woodworking shop, the 3-D studio, and ceramics studio. The main floor
will be renovated for a large meeting space and seminar room, the second
floor for the 2-D studio, drawing, painting and printmaking studios, and the
mezzanine for private studios/independent study. Fabrication, prototyping,
and the Media Studio will be relocated to the new STEAM Building. Offices
on all three floors will give students access to the arts faculty in the studio
spaces and allow them to work in the studios during free periods. A new
elevator will make the building handicapped accessible. New bathrooms
on the lower level and second floor will improve function and bring the
building up to code.
proposed second floor plan
CERAMICS
DRAWING/
PAINTING
STUDIO
2-D STUDIO
2-D STUDIO
CLASSROOM
MEETING/GALLERY SPACE
SEMINAR
proposed lower level floor plan
proposed first floor plan
STUDIO STUDIO
STORAGE
STORAGE
WOODWORKING
SHOP
WIDENER
CONNECTOR
3-D STUDIO

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Academic Center
The Academic Center is a traditional double-loaded corridor
facility, with classrooms on either side of a central hallway and
stairs at either end. It is based on an older “teacher-centric” model
of learning whereby the students go from class to class to be
lectured to by their teachers.
This modest renovation proposes to break down the walls of
that system in favor of a more open “student-centric” model of
learning whereby the students are encouraged to learn from each
other in small break-out areas. Laptop counters, lounges, and
collaborative spaces are located along the irregularly shaped
circulation spine. Part of the hallway is opened up to create a
lounge that looks out to the campus, bringing natural daylight into
the previously dark interior hallways.
Two classrooms per floor will be removed to create this more
flexible learning space. Smaller classrooms will be combined to
create a wider variety of classroom spaces, and teachers will have
the flexibility to use a wider variety of classroom sizes and types for
teaching. Shared faculty offices will encourage the teachers to
collaborate, while freeing the classrooms up for use during more
periods.
typical double-loaded corridor
diagram of confined circulation space
proposed floor plan configuration
diagram of proposed flexible circulation space

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STEAM Center
Science/Technology/Engineering/Aesthetics/Mathematics
A new 38,000-SF state-of-the-art STEAM Center will be built on the site
of the existing Classroom Building, providing modern, flexible teaching
spaces for the sciences, math, technology, design, and fabrication, and
bringing together these related but diverse disciplines under one roof
to create synergy and collaboration. The building will include a three-
story entrance atrium, providing immediate visual access to the interior
workings and creativity of the laboratories and studios inside the building,
as well as a stepped seating area overlooking the Dell. The laboratories
and studios will be large and flexible, with generous support spaces.
There will also be shared faculty offices and a large, flexible collaborative
“design thinking” and fabrication space.
Underneath the building there will be parking for 90-100 vehicles. The roof
of the parking area will provide outdoor gathering and work space with
views to the Dell and CFTA beyond.
Preliminary Space Program
Space # Size Total
Laboratory/Classrooms 10 1,200 SF 12,000 SF
Classrooms 10 500 SF 5,000 SF
Atrium/Collaborative Space 1 1,500 SF 1,500 SF
Lab Prep Rooms 10 200 SF 2,000 SF
Lab/Classroom Storage 20 50 SF 1,000 SF
Faculty Offices 3 1,000 SF 3,000 SF
Faculty Lounges/Break Room 1 500 SF 500 SF
“Design Thinking” Space 1 2,000 SF 2,000 SF
Bathrooms 6 250/50 SF 1,200 SF
SUB-TOTAL 28,200 SF
Circulation/Mechanical @ 35% 9,800 SF
TOTAL 38,000 SF
The Hill School will undertake a more detailed study to further inform and
define the parameters and scope for the STEAM Center.
aerial rendering looking west (preliminary concept sketch)
aerial rendering looking east (preliminary concept sketch)
cross section showing underground parking (preliminary concept sketch)

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Library
Interior renovations to the library are planned to create a more
contemporary library experience for The Hill School community.
Starting on the main floor, the tech desk and circulation desk will
be combined to create an information help center. Offices and
work areas will be reconfigured to bring staff closer together. The
reference stacks will be relocated to the lower level to create
more “active” social and group study spaces on the main floor.
Three private study rooms and three collaborative study areas will
be created in the former reference area.
The archives will be relocated from the third floor apartment to
the lower floor so they are more accessible. High-density shelving
will also be installed in the lower level, as well as quiet study rooms
and tables. When the “Mac Lab” moves to the STEAM Center, that
space will be converted to a “skunk works” studio for testing new
digital applications and softwares. The mezzanine offices will be
removed to create an open study balcony overlooking the main
entrance lobby. In the double-height library space on the second
floor, some of the stacks will be removed to create more “quiet”
individual and group study spaces. The layout and feel of the
space will be similar to what it was 50 years ago, as shown in the
images to the right.

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proposed library lower level plan
proposed library first floor plan
proposed library second floor plan
proposed library third floor plan

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Student Life Facilities
Dining Hall | 1
The idea of sharing meals with the entire Hill School family is a concept
that is central to the life of the School. Yet at the midday meal, the dining
hall is extremely crowded and the serving area is difficult to navigate. The
size and configuration of the dining hall and serving area are significant
impediments to the growth of the School.
To address these limitations, the Campus Master Plan recommends
moving the kitchen to the lower level, installing a full service elevator, and
completely reconfiguring the serving area to create a modern, efficient
servery with improved traffic flow. As part of moving the kitchen to the
lower level, the service entrance will be reconfigured.
Chapel | 2
Also central to the life of the School is the idea of the entire school
community meeting regularly in the Chapel. When this happens, seating
is very tight and as such is a limiting factor in terms of the growth of the
student body. We have studied two options for increasing the seating
capacity of the Chapel. The first is to reconfigure the tiered alter seating
area such that it is either flat or designed to conform with the more ideal
spacing of 36-40” wide each tier. This would increase seating capacity by
approximately 20 seats. The other option is to add a balcony at the rear
of the Chapel. This would be a challenging design task, architecturally
speaking, but would increase seating capacity by approximately 50-60
seats.
The Chapel also has some deferred maintenance that should be
addressed immediately. There are a number of significant roof leaks that
could damage the structure and interior woodworking if not addressed
immediately.
Meeting Spaces
The Campus Master Plan calls for five meeting rooms for a minimum of 125
people, large enough to accommodate one entire form of students and
their faculty. The theater can seat 800, the Chapel will be able to seat 600,
the Dining Hall will be able to seat 600, the Widener Arts meeting room will
be able to seat 125, and the STEAM building atrium will be able to seat
125. The new CFPA “Black Box” Theater will also be able to seat 200.
campus buildings highlighted

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Day Students | 3
After considerable discussion, it was decided to improve facilities for day
students by enlarging the area for their lockers in the lower level of the
Academic Center, and providing more dedicated lounge spaces on
campus for their use. The committee discussed the idea of converting
the lower level of the Music House into a day student locker room and
lounge, and moving the campus store to the upper level or making it
into a Welcoming Center. It is ideally located for drop-offs and pick-ups
and is central to the campus. More detailed discussion is needed to
develop these ideas further.
Student Center | 4
Increase the size of the day student lockers, and the space provided for
day students in the lower level of the Academic Building.
Cafe/Cardio-Fitness Center | 5
A new cardio-fitness center will be located on the lower level of the
athletics complex, overlooking the Dell. With approximately 16 pieces
of cardio-fitness equipment, it will support the wellness program
and provide an alternative to the more team-oriented weight and
cardio-fitness rooms in the center of the athletics complex. It will
include a new entrance on the east side of Sweeney from the new
Sweeney Quadrangle and ampitheater, and access to a new elevator
connecting all three levels of the athletics complex.
Sweeney Commons | 6
As part of the Wrestling Center project, the space between the hockey
arena and Bissell will be enclosed to create a new entrance to the
athletics complex from the parking lots to the north. This space will also
include new lobby space for athletics events, a concessions area with
seating, and a two-story climbing wall.

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proposed dining hall expansion plan
Dining Room
Dining Room
The Dining Room is crowded and congested at midday meals. The
Campus Master Plan recommends enlarging the south end of the Dining
Room to increase dining capacity by approximately 100 seats. We also
recommend moving the Headmaster’s table to the west side of the dining
hall so it will be in a more central location and re-orienting the tables to
provide better visibility.
Kitchen and Pantry
The Dining Room addition provides the opportunity to reconfigure the
service drive to allow through-traffic of service vehicles under the new
addition. It also allows the creation of a more suitable loading dock
for deliveries and a service area for recycling and the dumpster at the
basement floor level.
We recommend working with the School’s food service provider to
move all major cooking functions to the basement and renovate the
servery to provide a modern “scramble” type serving area and improved
circulation. The plan also includes the removal of the dumbwaiters in the
center of the existing servery and the installation of a service elevator and
stair in the southeast corner of the building, connecting the lower level
kitchen with the Pantry and Dining Room floor level.
DINING HALL
PROPOSED
EXPANSION
PANTRY

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Residential Life
In general, the residential life components of the campus are in fairly
good order. The dormitories serve the student population well and require
only modest renovations and improvements, as outlined below.
The School is currently undertaking an “Optimal Enrollment” study to
determine whether it should increase or decrease the number of students
on campus, or stay the same size. The Campus Master Plan indicates two
possible locations for future dormitories. The dormitories shown are two
stories high and would house 30 students and three faculty apartments
each. This would allow the School to reduce the density in some of the
existing dormitories, and thereby create rooms for day students or larger
lounge/study rooms.
Dutch Village | 1
These four small, two-story dormitories house third form students. Each
building is attached to a faculty house and also includes a proctor’s room
on the first floor. Lounge spaces and student laundry rooms are located in
the basements of the four buildings. Each building has only one means of
egress from the second floor.
The Campus Master Plan recommends the creation of a connector
building that would join the two westernmost buildings together and
house a shared student “Commons” space, four new double rooms,
an elevator, laundry, and second means of egress. Renovations to the
bathrooms and interior finishes in all four buildings are also recommended.
Wendell Dormitory | 2
The three daylight basement Religious Studies classrooms will be relocated
to the Widener Humanities Building, freeing up space for the creation of
three day student rooms. Additional work recommended includes the
installation of a new passenger elevator (possible re-use of the existing
freight elevator shaft), renovation of the bathrooms and interior finishes,
and air conditioning.
With the renovation of the interiors, there is a good opportunity to increase
the energy performance of this building, as a test for the other dormitories
on campus. We recommend the preparation of a study to see if it could
be re-insulated and new high performance mechanical equipment
installed to reduce its carbon footprint.
residential buildings highlighted
Rolfe and Foster Dormitories | 3
The Campus Master Plan recommends minor interior
renovations to these two dormitories, including new surfaces
and finishes over the concrete block walls, new bathrooms,
and new finishes in the common spaces.

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Residential Life Enhancements
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30. 30TheHillSchoolCampusMasterPlan|
Athletics
Several large scale athletics projects were undertaken in the last 15 years,
including the hockey arena, fieldhouse, squash center, cardio-fitness
room, and fields. As a result, this Campus Master Plan proposes more
modest expansion and renovation of the athletics facilities.
North Entrance and Wrestling Center | 1
The proposed North Entrance and Wrestling Center will replace the
existing wrestling room and provide a first-class wrestling center and
facility for The Hill, including the Hall of Champions, team locker room
and bathrooms, wrestling room, and fitness areas. Related projects
include new field sport team locker rooms on the lower level below the
wrestling room, a climbing wall commons between the Wrestling Center
and Sweeney Gym, and the new Cardio-Fitness Room and Cafe on the
east corner of the athletics complex, with a new entrance from the new
Sweeney Quadrangle.
Sweeney Quadrangle and Amphitheater | 2
The outdoor hockey rink and roof cover will be removed to create the
new Sweeney Quadrangle green space and amphitheater. This change
will restore views from the east to the Sweeney Gymnasium, one of the
architecturally most significant buildings on campus. It will also provide a
much needed pedestrian green space connecting the central part of
campus with the new east entrance to the athletics complex and the
CFPA to the north. The amphitheater will create a graceful connection
and gathering space between the lower level of the Sweeney
Gymnasium and the entrance level of the CFPA.
Cardio-Fitness Center | 3
The athletics program is developing in new ways to promote wellness
and lifelong fitness programs for the students, faculty, and staff at The Hill
School. The proposed Cardio-Fitness Center and Cafe on the northeast
corner of the athletics complex is a good example of this initiative.
Designed more for all members of The Hill School community than the
athletes, they are located along the central circulation spine between
the main campus and the CFPA to encourage recreational use. Other
program areas, like the fitness room on the lower level of the existing
wrestling building, will be developed to support alternative exercise
programs, including yoga, tai chi, movement, step classes, etc.
athletics buildings highlighted

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Athletics
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32. Aquatics Center | 4
The existing swimming facility is old and outdated. It has only six
lanes, minimal pool decks, and limited spectator seating areas.
The Campus Master Plan proposes building a new state-of-the-
art 50-meter x 25-yard, eight-lane “flex” aquatics center on a site
just west of the hockey arena. It will have school and community
locker rooms, and will be connected to the athletics complex on
the north side of the fieldhouse. The Aquatics Center is intended
to be a community resource and will have an entrance lobby and
support facilities facing the street on the north side of the facility. It
will also be designed to provide improved spectator seating, and
will have environmentally friendly filtration systems.
Lehrman Pavilion | 5
The Lehrman Pavilion will be built near the center of the Far Fields
complex with bathrooms, storage, concessions, and viewing
areas.
Sports Hall of Fame | 6
The Campus Master Plan calls for the creation of a more public
access space for The Hill School’s team photos, trophies and
memorabilia. Currently housed in the often locked Trophy Room
in the lower level of the Sweeney Gymnasium, this invaluable
collection of historical information and images should be in a
more prominent location where it can be viewed by The Hill
School community on a daily basis. The Campus Master Plan
recommends that it be relocated to a space adjacent to the new
east entrance to the athletics complex.
Sweeney Renovations | 7
The Campus Master Plan recommends undertaking a thorough
renovation project for the Sweeney Gymnasium. When the hockey
roof is removed, the east wall of the building will be exposed to
view. The masonry should be re-pointed, single-glazed windows
replaced with double-glazed/thermal break windows, and the
slate roof repaired. Additional renovations could include adding
insulation to the roof and acoustical treatment on the ceiling inside
the gymnasium space.

33. 33TheHillSchoolCampusMasterPlan|
East Campus Faculty Village
Four duplex houses were completed in 2013 for use by The Hill
School faculty. Eight additional single homes are planned, with
two scheduled to be completed by June 2014.
Pine Court
Small two-story additions are proposed on the backs of each of
these four faculty residences. The additions will allow the kitchens
to be enlarged and will connect the main floors of these buildings
directly to the basements with new interior stairs. Other minor
interior renovations are recommended to the basements, where
the laundries are housed, to render them more useful.
McCune Lodge
McCune is currently used for faculty apartments and dorm space
for visiting teams that need to stay overnight at The Hill. The
consensus is that this building should be maintained for these two
purposes until the ECFV is completed, when the use of this facility
will be reassessed.
Faculty Housing

34. 34TheHillSchoolCampusMasterPlan|
Open Space Enhancements
There are four notable green spaces in the academic core of the
campus: the quadrangle in front of the Academic Center, the space
between the Widener buildings and the Library, the large green space
in front of Rolfe and Foster dormitories, and the gardens and lawn to the
west of the Dining Hall, called the Headmaster’s Garden.
Enhancements
The Campus Master Plan calls for the enhancement of these four open
spaces and the creation of new open spaces and landscaped pathways
to link the green spaces together. The goal is to create a more pedestrian-
friendly campus, reduce the impact of the vehicular roadways and
parking lots, and create a more unified campus experience.
The Main Quadrangle | 1
The main quadrangle in front of the Academic Center will have its
walkways re-paved to conform to the design guidelines, reducing
pavement and creating better hierarchy of walkways and materials.
“The Green” | 2
The large green space in front of Rolfe and Foster dormitories will be
transformed in two ways. First, the track and field was removed and
replaced with a grass soccer field. Second, large shade trees will be
planted around the perimeter of the space to define its edges and allow
it to read as a large outdoor room.
The Delta | 3
The large paved area at the east end of the Hunt Upper School building
and around the Music House will be reconfigured to reduce the amount
of pavement and increase pedestrian connections between the main
campus, the athletics complex, and the CFPA.
The Classroom Building Parking Lot | 4
With the removal of the Classroom Building to create a site for the new
STEAM Building, there is an opportunity to consolidate parking under the
new building. Using the slope of the hillside, a new one-level parking area
for approximately 90-100 cars can be built in the center of this part of
the campus without disrupting any of the open space and pedestrian
walkways.

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Existing Open Spaces

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Sweeney Quadrangle | 5
With the removal of the former outdoor hockey arena and
roof, a new quadrangle will be created on the east side of
Sweeney Gymnasium. It will create a much stronger pedestrian
connection between the main campus and the CFPA, and will
enhance the entrance drive to the campus by providing a full
view of the east side of Sweeney Gymnasium for the first time
in over 50 years. The sloped roadway between the CFPA and
Dell will be removed and replaced with an amphitheater where
students and faculty can congregate and enjoy the sun and
view of the Dell.
Chapel Quadrangle | 6
If a new dormitory is built between the Chapel and Dutch
Village, the two tennis courts will be removed to create a new
residential quadrangle.
Wendell Quadrangle | 7
The Delta, including the parking lot and pavement between
the Wendell Dormitory and the Music House, will be removed
to create a new green space linking “The Green” with the
Sweeney Quad.
Meigs Quadrangle | 8
With the planting of large shade trees around the Field Quad, a
newly defined open space will be created between the Meigs
House and Wendell. The open space will be more intimate than
it currently is, and will create a nice setting for first-time visitors to
the Admission Office.
Pedestrian Walkways
Linking the open spaces and quadrangles, a series of
landscaped walkways will knit the pedestrian experience of the
campus together (see Campus Connectivity).

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Proposed Open Spaces
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38. 38TheHillSchoolCampusMasterPlan|
Campus Connectivity
The Campus Master Plan calls for the creation of a more unified
campus experience. To accomplish this we recommend the
removal of a significant amount of pavement to create more
open space and a series of pedestrian walkways linking the green
spaces and quadrangles together.
Main Pedestrian Spine | 1
Linking the Dining Hall terrace on the south end of campus
with the CFPA and Far Fields on the north end of campus, this
pedestrian pathway will create a safe, tree-lined pedestrian
walking experience. With the removal of the “Delta,” this pathway
will provide an almost unbroken pedestrian experience for the first
time.
“The Green”/Sweeney Quad Connector | 2
This new pedestrian connection and experience is possible with
the removal of the “Delta” and the pavement and parking
between Wendell Dormitory and the Music House. It allows
pedestrians to walk safely from “The Green” to the Sweeney Quad
through landscaped quadrangle spaces.
Main Quad/Mercer Connector | 3
The removal of the pavement and parking along the west side of
the Upper School building and the reconstruction of the stairway
from the Main Quadrangle will create a much more pedestrian-
friendly, landscaped connection to the Mercer entrance.
Main Quad/Chapel Quad Connector | 4
The new Chapel Quadrangle space provides a stronger
connection between the residential clusters on the west side of
campus and the Main Quadrangle. It also provides an ideal site for
a future dormitory along its northern edge.
Service Drive |5
By reconfiguring the entrances to the service drive on the south
side of campus, tractor trailers will be able to service the Dining
Hall without driving through campus. Combined with the changes
proposed to the Dining Hall, they will be able to drive under the
new addition and access the loading dock, walk-ins, and lower
floor kitchen without ramps.
Widener Connector | 6
The Campus Master Plan recommends removing
the roadway and parking in front of the Widener
Humanities and Widener Visual Arts buildings to
create a new pedestrian-friendly space at the
center of campus. By replacing the paving with
grass pavers, a large area of green space will be
created, further reducing the impact of vehicles
on this part of campus, while still allowing
emergency vehicles to access these buildings.

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Campus Parking
Portions of The Hill School campus are currently dominated
by pavement, parking lots, and vehicular traffic. The
Campus Master Plan proposes to consolidate the parking
areas, reduce the amount of pavement in the central
areas of the campus, and restore green space and
pedestrian pathways.
There are currently 342 parking spaces on campus.
A long thin band of double loaded parking runs parallel to
the entrance drive and service drive in the central part of
campus. There are also large parking lots under the hockey
roof and adjacent to the gymnasium. The existing parking
space count is adequate for day use, however when there
are large events, parking spills out onto neighboring streets
and the lots at the Far Fields.
The lots in the center of campus are very disruptive to
the flow of pedestrian traffic on campus and should
be relocated. The Campus Master Plan recommends
removing some parking areas from the center of the
campus, while consolidating others. The parking lots behind
the Classroom Building and the Sherrill Guest House are
shown to be consolidated under the new STEAM building.
The small parking lots located behind the Dell Village will
be consolidated under the new dormitory. The parking
located under the hockey arena roof is not used very
much on a daily basis, but will need to be replaced to help
accommodate the parking required for large events on
campus. The Acquisition plan identifies areas to the north
and west of the hockey arena that could be acquired for
this purpose.

41. Proposed Campus Parking Plan

42. 42TheHillSchoolCampusMasterPlan|
Sustainability
FIVE POINT SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
Recycling | 1
It should be clear to all Hill students, faculty, and staff what can be
recycled and where. The School’s goal is a 10% reduction in overall waste
by year end 2014. Recycling containers should be more heavily utilized
than trash for the 2013-2014 school year.
Green Building Design and Construction | 2
The School will implement Green Building Guidelines.
Reduction in Energy Usage | 3
The School’s goal is to reduce energy consumption of existing facilities by
10% in the 2013-2014 school year.
Automated Energy Management System | 4
The Hill School will implement building specific energy management
systems (via Tridium) to begin to quantify campus problem areas.
Use of Alternative Energy Sources | 5
Include alternate energy sources on campus for learning opportunities
(i.e. solar of natatorium roof). Switch to renewable energy sources for
a minimum of 25% of existing consumption pattern for next scheduled
energy contract bid.
Deferred Maintenance
The campus should update its inventory of the existing buildings to
determine where sustainability investments can have the greatest impact.
One obvious example is the Sweeney Gymnasium, which has single pane
glass in all the windows and only minimal insulation in the walls and roof, if
any. A renovation plan for this building would include new double-glazed
windows and R-48 min. roof insulation (8” rigid).
New buildings should consider having their own decentralized heating/
cooling systems for greater efficiency and control.
During our site visits we observed several buildings that had roof leaks,
including Sweeney and the Chapel. A plan should be established to fund
the repairs of these roofing problems as soon as possible.
Photovoltaic Farm
A study is being undertaken to determine the cost and return on
investment of installing a remote array of photovoltaic panels
to capture solar energy. The target goal is to collect 200kW of
energy.
LEED Certification
All new buildings should be LEED certified. The new STEAM Center
should be designed to the highest standards possible. A target
goal of LEED Platinum/Net Zero Energy is attainable with careful
planning.
photovoltaic farm
recycling containers energy management system user interface

43. 43TheHillSchoolCampusMasterPlan|
Budget
Academic Space $36-37,000,000
Classroom Building Demolition $ 200,000
STEAM Building (incl. underground parking) $21,300,000
Widener Humanities $ 5,500,000
Widener Visual Arts and Connector $ 4,300,000
Academic Center $ 1,100,000
Library $ 1,500,000
CFPA $ 2,500,000
Student Life Facilities $28-29,000,000
Dining Hall Facilities (incl. kitchen and pantry) $ 3,000,000
North Sweeney Entrance, Commons, and Wrestling Center $ 3,500,000
East Sweeney Entrance Cardio-fitness Center, and Cafe $ 2,200,000
Chapel (incl. tiers and balcony) $ 900,000
Aquatics Center $11,000,000
Dutch Village $ 2,000,000
Wendell Dormitory $ 1,200,000
Foster/Rolfe Dormitories $ 1,000,000
Day Students $ 500,000
Faculty Housing (incl. ECFV, Pine Court) $ 3,000,000
Open Space and Connectivity $5-6,000,000
Sweeney Quadrangle $ 2,000,000
Chapel Quadrangle $ 400,000
“The Delta” $ 1,250,000
“The Green” $ 50,000
Main Quadrangle $ 150,000
Service Entrance $ 500,000
Parking $ 1,500,000
Steward Improvements $6-7,000,000
Sustainability Plan $ 1,250,000
Deferred Maintainence (Sweeney, Chapel) $ 2,000,000
Acquisitions $ 3,500,000
___________________________________________________________________________
Total $75-79,000,000
The budgets listed above are in 2013 dollars. Annual adjustments should be made for inflation.
They are based on square-foot cost figures and include soft costs, such as A/E fees, contingencies, and LEED costs and fees.

44. 45TheHillSchoolCampusMasterPlan|
Summary
Preserve
Character
Sense of Place
Tradition
Unify
Open Space Plan
Connectivity Improvements
Site Design Standards
Building Design Standards
Enhance
New STEAM Building
Renovated Facilities for Humanities and Studio Arts
Re-purposed spaces in Library and Academic Center
New Facilities for Athletics: Aquatics Center, Cardio-Fitness Center, Wrestling
Center
New and Renovated Facilities for Performing Arts
Student Life Enhancements
Residential Life Improvements
Faculty Housing Improvements
Steward
Sustainability Plan
Site Design Standards
Building Design Standards
ADA and Code Compliance
Infrastructure Improvements
Deferred Maintenance