Samyn-D'Elia Architects of Ashland wins two statewide design awards

ASHLAND — Saymn-D’Elia Architects has received two design awards from the NH Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for their work on the historic Ashland Schoolhouse and the Alpine Clinic in Franconia.

At the annual AIANH (Architects Institute of America – New Hampshire) Excellence in Architecture Awards banquet held at the Manchester Institute of Art in January, Samyn-D’Elia Architects received a Merit Award for the renovation of the historic Ashland Schoolhouse and the People’s Choice award for the new Alpine Clinic.

The AIANH Excellence in Architecture Awards program was instituted in 1983 to providing public and professional recognition for exceptional architectural projects by NH architects. Each entry is judged on overall design excellence including aesthetics, clarity, creativity, appropriate functionality, sustainability, building performance, and appropriateness with regard to fulfilling the client’s program.

The town of Ashland has been actively working to save the 19th century Schoolhouse since it closed as a public high school in 1991. Things became critical in the mid-1990s when the building was almost torn down to make way for additional parking. At that time, Tri-County Action Program Inc. (Tri-Cap) came forward, and with funding support from the NH Land and Community Investment Program (LCHIP), began making plans and raising additional funds for a renovation of the historic structure. By the time the finds were in hand — almost 16 years later — the building had deteriorated and was in poor condition.

Tom Samyn of Samyn-D’Elia Architects worked with Tri-CAP, a non-profit development group, and Milestone Engineering to renovate the schoolhouse into offices, a Head Start pre-school, and additional space for future tenants. The design goal was to renovate the building in a historically accurate way, replacing and renovating all features, details, and surfaces as required. Guidance, historical perspective, and new ideas for the project came from Ashland’s historical society, school children, town elders, and local business people.

Ward D’Elia worked with the three orthopedic physician owners and Lyman Millworks Construction Management to design the 16,488 square-foot Alpine Clinic, which provides orthopedic, physical therapy, rehabilitation, MRI, and X-ray services. The layout of the Clinic is unique to the program requirements of this medical facility, however the style is reminiscent of a historic New England ski lodge. The design reflects the clients’ enthusiasm for sports and the clinic’s mountain setting, and acts as a soothing non-clinical surprise for athlete and non-athlete patients alike.

Sitting into the slope of a reclaimed gravel pit allows for full lower level exposure to daylight and beautiful views of Cannon Mountain Ski Area to the south. It also minimizes the building’s exposure to prevailing winter winds. The use of insulated concrete forms, stress skin panels, and an Acadia heat system contribute to the building’s energy efficiency and climate comfort. Exterior materials and colors for the clinic were selected to compliment the surrounding area of tall pine trees, loose boulders and natural fauna.

Samyn-D’Elia Architects has been providing award-winning, green-rated commercial, medical, municipal, and residential design services since 1980. For more information, visit www.sdarchitects.com.

CAPTION: Saymn-D’Elia Architects recently won two design awards from the NH Chapter of the American Institute of Architects — a Merit Award for their work on the historic Ashland Schoolhouse and the People's Choice award for the Alpine Clinic in Franconia. Pictured is the Clinic patient waiting area with views to Cannon Mountain Ski Area. (Courtesy photo)