Bolles House at the Belmont Hill School was transformed from a small administrative building into a state-of-the-art maker space. Built in 1928, the existing building is one of the oldest on the school’s campus, and is a simple balloon frame with a gabled roof.
At only 1,000 square feet on the main level, limited space was the primary architectural constraint. The maker program is ambitious, requiring fabrication equipment, ample work space, and a 12’x12′ competition robotics platform. Plywood and stainless steel wrap the entire perimeter, concealing the large robotics platform in a custom folding mechanism similar to a murphy bed. When deployed, the platform can be used for robotics competitions, or can be a makeshift presentation platform for special events. Millwork encompasses other elements including the entry thresholds, HVAC supply ducts, and an oversized display window along the public walkway.
New structural collar ties exposed a vaulted ceiling, creating a rhythmic strut system for lighting, power reels, and A/V equipment. An overhead folding partition divides a smaller workshop from the larger classroom for flexibility. The partition raises and lowers with 1-ton counterweights enclosed in acrylic sleeves, displaying the physics of the assembly to inquisitive students.
On the west side, sliding perforated screens diffuse the sunlight. Fully magnetic, these screens double as a pin-up space for student collaboration.
Constrained by the old, the project fosters continuity between innovation and persistence. Though modest in size and scope, it is an important example of the immutable usefulness
of construction.
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