By Ander Wildman ’27
The New Community Commons project aims to become the heart of campus life at Lawrence Academy.
A look beyond the construction fence... Photo: Ander Wildman '27
GROTON, Mass. — The biggest project the school has ever undertaken — creating the new “Community Commons.” Naturally, students and faculty alike are curious about what is going on behind the scenes and over the fences.
So, the real questions remain: Will the community commons live up to its hype? Will it fit the needs and expectations of LA by next year?
Project leaders, Head of School Dan Scheibe and Assistant Head of School Bob Kramer, think the answer is “Yes!” and are putting in the effort to make the Commons the “heart of campus life.” They are also confident that “this is going to be one of the nicest spaces, not just on campus, but in the entire ISL.”
Just inside the Gray Building. Photo: Ander Wildman '27
The idea of the Community Commons gained traction a couple of years ago. During this time, faculty and students came together to discuss their needs in the proposed new space. Both groups agreed on one thing: the Gray Building needed a revamp.
“The previous dining hall was almost like a dead end on campus… it was like a box,” Scheibe noted, but explained the Commons hopes to “keep everything people loved, and add everything they wished for.”
Meanwhile, one of the biggest wishes of staff and students was that they wanted the space to be flexible, allowing countless different types of events to occur in the very same space.
The Art Wing. Photo: Ander Wildman '27
“It’s been almost 20 years since we built a major new building on campus — it’s time,” Kramer said. He was right, and that valuable time is going into the best new building on campus. The new hub of the campus will include not only dining space, but also meeting rooms, student life offices, a new student lounge and a wide-open mezzanine overlooking the dining hall and Gibbet Hill. Kramer and Scheibe both agree that space will change the way people move, gather and connect daily. Students can flow through the building from any point on campus, making it the “town center” of LA.
Optimally, the project’s end goal is to be open in July, leaving plenty of time before the next school year to work out any kinks or setbacks from construction. The building started two weeks ago, and they are now working on constructing the foundation wall.
Once that is completed, the builders can raise the steel frame to support the windows and walls, which are considered easier parts of the construction. The construction team hopes to complete the foundation portion of the project before the ground freezes and snow falls this autumn, allowing for internal systems like HVAC, plumbing and electrical to be installed without the worry of adverse weather conditions.
Planning the future. Photo: Ander Wildman '27
“Mechanical, electrical and plumbing — that’s 40% of the budget, and most of the time,” Kramer explained.
Of course, building the Commons has not come without its challenges. Kramer explained, “You open a wall, and it’s not what you thought. That’s what happens with 75-year-old buildings.”
Thankfully, these setbacks have been carefully mitigated by the project’s leaders, including two alums, Chris Floyd and Mike Cataldo. Both Spartans are excited to bring their expertise back to LA. Chris Floyd, owner and CEO of CE Floyd, is primarily working on the construction aspects of the project, while Mike Cataldo of MJ Cataldo Landscape & Construction is focusing on sitework and surveying.
Editor's note: Please check this space for updates and information on this important campus project.