Proctor Academy Master Plan

Proctor Academy, Andover, NH

“Working with Jones Architects has been a pleasure. I appreciate their attention to the context in which they are working, knowing that the past informs the present and influences the future, particularly in schools with 175 years of history. Whether the choice is to adapt, reuse, renovate, recycle or demolish, they are able to encourage and educate us, who are neophytes, to view projects as multi-dimensionally as possible.”

— Vanessa Wassenar, Director of Resource Management (former), Proctor Academy

Proctor Academy has engaged Jones Architecture as prime in collaboration with Black River Design Architects to embark on a master plan looking at future campus development. The team was charged with looking to address deferred maintenance, rethinking faculty housing and dorm capacity, strengthening the connection between day and boarding experiences, and retaining faculty and staff. Additionally, the team is focusing on recasting the "Center of Gravity" as a means of reinvigorating the campus as a whole.

The process has included student, faculty, staff, and parent engagement through on campus workshops and an asynchronous online survey. Many hybrid, remote, and in person meetings over several months have revealed stakeholder concerns and priorities which helped inform options for recommended solutions. These were the emerging priorities.

1. Retain Proctor's strong sense of identity in culture and place.
Referred to often as "The Magic of Proctor," the community values on campus are strong. This is fostered within both residential and academic spaces. Sense of place is solidified with the distinct New England characteristics of buildings and landscape.

2. Address housing deferred maintenance, equity, and capacity.
Both student and faculty housing are in high demand. There is high demand for resources through the year, even the summer, leaving little time for maintenance. Dorm parent apartment quantities vary per dorm, putting strain on faculty who are on call often.

3. Better foster day student community and belonging.
Recognizing that Day Students need a home base was a clear priority. Today they share common space with Boarding Students in the Dining Commons, and have a small, dedicated space in the library. A purpose-built space that serves the function of "home" is greatly needed.

4. Confront Main Street.
Main Street serves as the public face of Proctor, but also poses pedestrian safety concerns. Pulling student functions as well as campus tours North of Main street was a priority for pedestrian safety for students and visitors.

5. Expand wellness resources and access.
The Health Center serves many roles, and needs to be readily accessible to both dorm and day students. The current facilities lack amenities, storage space, and sufficient room for nurses to do their work. The medical distribution function is a daily function that needs more space to operate.

Proctor's focus on experiential learning, leadership, and belonging has greatly influenced outcomes in our proposed plan. The master plan seeks to mimic Proctor's motto to "create a diverse living and learning community: one that values the individual and recognizes the potential of each member to stretch beyond what had been thought possible." The team ultimately identified strategic projects, ranging from campus wide circulation, strategic dorm additions and renovations, and new academic spaces to continue their mission into the future.