New Academic
Center
Shaping the Future of Teaching and Learning at Williston
Thanks to a $10 million lead gift from Trustee Kevin Hoben ’65, Williston is embarking on the design and construction of a major new academic building to serve students, faculty, and the broader school community. The approximately 22,000-square-foot building will include 14 state-of-the-art, light-filled classrooms, conference and meeting rooms, and new faculty offices within departmental suites. An expansive atrium will anchor the building, offering a flexible setting for special events, guest presentations, class assemblies, and community gatherings. Designed with strong indoor–outdoor connections, abundant natural daylight, and adaptable furnishings, the building will support a wide range of teaching approaches and academic experiences. Construction is anticipated to begin before the end of 2026, with completion planned for spring 2028.
At right: A birds-eye view of where the new Academic Center will be located
Reshaping the Academic Quad
Located at the geographic heart of campus, the new building will bridge Williston’s Residential and Academic Quads, serving as a central destination for student learning, collaboration, and daily campus life. By anchoring the west edge of the quad and closing it to traffic, what is now a throughway will become a true pedestrian green—a place where students cross paths on the way to class, teachers and advisees stop to talk, and the community naturally gathers for both everyday interactions and shared moments. In doing so, the project’s impact extends beyond the building, reinforcing the Academic Quad as a central place for academic life and community.
A Campus Crossroads
A Place to Learn
The academic building will be home to 14 new classrooms, each designed for 16+ students to comfortably fit. The spaces will be designed with flexibility in mind, so that they can easily shift to accommodate lectures, small group discussions, and hands-on projects. Elsewhere in the building will be additional seminar rooms, meeting spaces, and corridors with built-in areas for work and discussions.
A Place to Connect
A centerpiece of the new building will be an expansive, light‑filled atrium with views across the Academic Quad and toward Mount Tom in the distance. Designed as a flexible gathering space, the atrium will support a wide range of school uses—from presentations and assemblies during the academic day to special events that bring the community together—while also serving as an inviting place for students to gather, study, and connect between classes. Centrally located at the heart of campus, the building will function as a natural crossroads, linking students and faculty moving between the Residential Quad, Reed Campus Center, and nearby academic buildings.
FAQs
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When will construction start on the new building?
Site work is expected to begin in the late summer or early fall, with major construction beginning before the end of 2026.
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When will the building open?
Current plans call for construction to take place between fall 2026 and spring 2028, with the building opening in spring 2028.
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Which classes will take place in the new building?
The new building will house all math and English classes—the two subjects with the greatest number of students enrolled each year. In addition, the building will include multi-purpose seminar and conference rooms, study spaces, and an approximately 3,000‑square‑foot atrium that can support a wide range of academic and community uses.
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Why was this location chosen?
Located at the geographic heart of campus, the site allows the new academic building to connect existing academic and residential areas while strengthening the Academic Quad as a shared, pedestrian‑focused green. Closing the existing traffic loop improves safety, reduces vehicle congestion, and reclaims underused space for students and community life. Most importantly, the location places teaching and learning at the center of daily campus activity.
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How will construction affect campus life?
The school is actively planning construction to minimize disruption to daily academic and residential life. More detailed information about logistics and campus impact will be shared as construction timelines are finalized.
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Will this project affect other academic or residential buildings?
The project is designed to complement existing campus facilities, and there are no current plans to change the use of other academic or residential buildings on the main Academic Quad. As part of longer‑term planning, the school will consider how to best utilize academic space in the Schoolhouse once the new academic center is complete. Any future changes to other buildings would be communicated separately and well in advance.
About Annum Architects
Williston is working with the Boston‑based, award‑winning architecture firm Annum Architects, which has designed major projects for the Brooks School, Pomfret School, Emma Willard School, Harvard University, Duke University, and many other educational and cultural institutions. Annum is working in partnership with O&G Industries, which is serving as construction manager and brings extensive experience delivering complex building projects.
Support the New Academic Building
Thanks to early leadership support, Williston has made important progress toward this new academic building. Additional philanthropic support is still needed to bring the project to completion. If you would like to learn more about ways to support this effort, please contact Eric Yates, Chief Advancement Officer, at 413-529-3306 or via email at eyates@williston.com.