Green Chimneys School
Brewster, N.Y.
Perkins Eastman Architects

A School for the Emotionally Disturbed Reflects its Pastoral Surroundings

© Perkins Eastman

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Green Chimneys School provides residential, social, and educational services for emotionally disturbed children on a 150-acre farm. Its philosophy is predicated on the belief that given the responsibilities of caring for animals, troubled children can regain self-respect, and learn to trust and love.

The architect designed three new academic structures for the school, and made renovations to existing buildings on the rural residential campus. The scale and massing of the buildings fit within the context of the surrounding farm, which is composed of small residential and barn buildings.

The administrative building is centrally located, with classroom buildings on either side. A covered walkway connects the three buildings, creating a "front porch" for a central green. The buildings are solidly built, a necessary requirement for the education and care of 150 middle-school-aged, high energy children. Two classroom buildings are housed under the two-story barrel roof portions of the building, flanking shared resources including library, science rooms, and flexible project rooms.

Formal name of building:
The Green Chimneys School

Location:
Brewster, N.Y.

Gross square footage:
27,500 square feet

Total construction cost:
$6.1 million

Owner:
Green Chimneys Children's Services, Inc.