From Master Plan to Breaking Ground

The Stanmar Difference

Brainstorm project funding realities
Reduce significant costs and time
Form strategic partnership with committee
Design for LEED Silver
Analyze existing multi-building plan
Create phasing aligned with funding
Strategize costs to meet budget
Deliverables planned for board meetings
Develop one-building solution
Enable consensus and decision-making

Project Overview

Phillips Academy Andover (PA) had developed an athletic facility master plan to replace and upgrade all their existing, outdated facilities. This plan called for multiple new, individual construction projects, as well as a significant renovation to existing facilities. While the master plan successfully identified a wide range of PA’s needs both now and in the future, at the conclusion of the first new construction project, PA realized that the remaining phases were challenged by cost escalation and fundraising concerns.

Stanmar was given the opportunity to reconsider how to achieve the program in the remaining athletics master plan phases due to our reputation for exceptional facility-planning skills within defined budgets. Our team considered the challenges facing PA and developed a single-phase, single-facility approach that incorporated the entirety of the remaining program needs. This approach avoided costly renovations and program space duplication without any core programmatic compromises. As the design progressed, PA requested Stanmar incorporate their full dance program, including a new performance hall, into the Pan Athletic Center, which further promoted cross-discipline student interaction, fundraising, and saved millions against a potential dedicated, stand-alone future dance building. Critically, the final design targets LEED Silver and results in less overall built square footage, supporting PA’s sustainability objectives.

At PA’s request, this consolidated facility was purposefully designed to be built in either one or two phases. This simpler message resonated with the community and resulted in the successful fundraising for and construction start of Phase A—the Pan Athletic Center. PA’s willingness to step back and work with Stanmar to consider a different vision to complete the athletics master plan has resulted in great progress. Phase A opened in Fall 2022, and we look forward to completing Phase B in the future.

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Phillips Academy Andover

Building facilities that fit your future.