Rogers Partners has been working continuously with the Trinity School since late 2012 to plan, design and execute a complicated renovation and expansion for this independent K-12 school on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The expansion of the Trinity School stems from their strategic plan to “create a physical environment that improves the efficiency, cohesion, and beauty of the campus.” Our design strategy response centered on three key moves: reprogram the campus, maximize circulation, and increase natural light – all of which has been achieved by the insertion of a new edition between the school’s two historic buildings.

The new 60,000 square foot addition is situated at the northern portion of the urban campus and built on top of the school’s existing cafeteria. The Annex Link connects the addition to the Lower School and Annex buildings, both designated Landmarks, and serves multiple purposes, including a new stair and horizontal connections that unite the campus. Atop the existing cafeteria and an adjacent garage, the addition formalizes a lounge for the upper school and adds light-filled classrooms, labs, performing arts spaces, as well as faculty offices and multi-use rooms. The new addition also improves the existing outdoor space with a centralized outdoor ‘common’ area and a new turf field above. Measuring approximately 100’ x 200’ with 31’ clear at its highest point, the turf is useable for many field sports, as well as assembly space uses. A new multi-purpose gym centrally located in the building is suitable for fencing, wrestling, and other indoor athletic activities. It is acoustically isolated to prevent disturbance to the science lab above and cafeteria below.