Yestermorrow Design/Build School

Dear Friends of Yestermorrow:

Yestermorrow Design/Build School has been through many changes in its 28-year history. And right now we are in a major growth phase. In true Yestermorrow fashion we want to make sure our growth is well-designed and also sustainable. Therefore, the board and staff have set a target for our growth so that we accommodate increased demand for our own brand of design/build education while making sure that student experience and quality of education continue to improve.

In June of 2007 the Yestermorrow Board of Directors endorsed proceeding with a generalized expansion plan for the campus’ School Zone. This plan was based on a series of community charrettes led by Bill Maclay—former board member and principle at William Maclay Architects & Planners—and also the work of two Conway School of Landscape Design students, Alicia Batista and Ross Workhoven.

In December 2007 the Board authorized the Steering Committee and the Buildings and Grounds Committee to take steps to initiate preliminary campus improvements which would include:

finishing work on the existing building,
creating a second large studio within the existing footprint, and
constructing a new shop building attached to the southern end of the existing structure.

On April 4, 2008 Yestermorrow issued a Request For Proposals for design/build services for the first phase of campus expansion:

Qualified design/build firms or joint ventures between architects and builders are invited to submit proposals for the design and construction of a 2500 to 3000 square foot addition and for the renovation of the existing building at the Yestermorrow Design/Build School in Waitsfield Vermont. For complete background information, contact Bob Ferris, Executive Director, Yestermorrow School at 802 496 5545 or bob@yestermorrow.org

The Proposals are due May 16th. A walkthrough of the building and question and answer session will be held at 4pm on Friday, April 25th. The selected design/build firm will be announced in mid-July.

Download the RFP package

PDFs of Background and Design Options:

Conway Plan Section 1

Conway Plan Section 2

Conway Plan Section 3

Our current plan is as follows:

Summer 2008—Hire executive architect to coordinate and facilitate collaborative process for final design of building and improvements.
Fall/Winter 2008—Secure necessary permits and complete site preparation.
Spring/Summer 2009—Begin construction

Steering Committee Membership