Bristol County
Agricultural High School
The renewal of Bristol Aggie’s campus celebrates the tradition and culture of the unique agricultural high school, while introducing innovative educational spaces that promote an immersive, hands-on learning model rooted in science.
Dighton, MA
113,600 sf
82,500 sf
9 – 12
640
744 metric tons
68% from baseline code
“Our project is large and complex with additions, renovations, new construction and many programs with highly specific, technical requirements. HMFH has been careful and methodical helping us work through our needs to develop a thoughtful and comprehensive solution.”
Adele Sands | Former Superintendent, Bristol County Agricultural High School
Sited on the banks of the Taunton River, Bristol County Agricultural High School draws students from 20 communities to a career-oriented curriculum centered around agricultural science and technology. Expansion from 450 to 640 students required strategic new construction, additions, and renovations to create more cohesion among academic and career technical studies on campus and provide new state-of-the-art labs and specialized learning spaces. The design of each facility is tailored to the programs they house, providing the resources for students to reach their full academic potential.
The renewed campus integrates Bristol Aggie’s programs in agricultural mechanics, animal science, arboriculture, environmental engineering, floriculture, landscape design and natural resource management, and is organized along a new vibrant pedestrian thoroughfare to promote movement between the north and south ends of campus.
The design includes six new and updated buildings: the new Center for Science and the Environment (CSE), new Student Commons, renovations and a small addition to Gilbert Hall, a new Landscape Arbor Building, a renovated Agricultural Mechanics Building, and a new net-zero ready Dairy Barn.
Center for Science and the Environment
The Center for Science and the Environment, a LEED Gold-certified brick and metal panel structure, highlights the integral role of science and research in all Bristol Aggie programs. Functioning as a living learning center, the CSE supports a range of spaces, including a student-curated natural resource museum, specialized bio-secure labs, flexible classrooms, and two vegetative green roofs. Sustainable design elements include a highly visible PV array and composting toilets to conserve water in the new building.
Sketch of natural history museum display option
Student Commons
At the heart of the campus, the heavy timber-frame Student Commons provides students with a space to work, eat, study, and socialize. Home to a double-height dining area, media center, media commons, small group study room and a roof terrace overlooking the campus’ working farm, the Student Commons unites the various Bristol Aggie programs in a single shared space and serves as a hub for student activity. The glue laminated timber structure of the building is exposed, connecting students to the local ecology and educating them on low-carbon alternatives to typical construction methods.
“It is clear that the whole community is engaged and excited about the opportunities this school will provide for many years to come.”
John Crisley | Senior Project Manager, Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA)
Gilbert Hall
The renovation and addition to Gilbert Hall, a historically significant building on the south end of campus, revitalizes the existing space for new academic classrooms, administrative space, two gymnasiums and a one-of-a-kind indoor climbing lab, while maintaining the original integrity of the space. A stair tower addition on the eastern face of the building introduces a new entrance and features a double-height timeline graphic depicting the history of Bristol Aggie’s campus. The LEED Gold certified design of Gilbert Hall reuses 69% of the original building’s structure and envelope, saving 744 metric tons of carbon compared to new construction.
Other buildings on campus including the new Landscape Arbor Building, the renovated Agricultural Mechanics Building, and the new net-zero ready Dairy Barn, which features state-of-the-art robotic milking technology, are designed to accommodate specialized programs that require expansive open space for hands-on learning.
“The campus is beautiful and tailored to Bristol Aggie’s unique needs. It is clear that the students, staff, and administration are passionate about using their learning environment to their fullest.”
Craig Hovey | Assistant Project Manager, Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA)
Awards/Credits
- Green Building of the Year, Built Environment Plus Award, 2022
- Grand Prize, Learning By Design Spring Educational Facilities Design Awards, 2024
(Center for Science and the Environment) - Top K-12 Education Project, ENR New England Regional Best Projects, 2023
- Outstanding Project, Learning by Design Spring Educational Facilities Design Awards, 2022
(Student Commons) - High School Citation, American School & University Architectural Portfolio Awards, 2022
- Photography, Ed Wonsek
- Videography, Peter VonDeLinde
