Yale University, Kroon Hall: School of Forestry and Environmental Studies

Profile

The Kroon Building unifies the dispersed faculty buildings across Science Hill by becoming a new focus for this 'micro' campus.

It establishes a strong architectural identity for the faculty, forming a new centre for the study of sustainability and has been awarded LEED™ 'Platinum' certification by the US Green Building Council.

The structure accommodates offices for the faculty, classrooms, a library and study centre, an auditorium and the' Environment Centre'; a flexible space which will host exhibitions and symposia.

The building is a simple rectangular form placed between the neo-gothic Osbourn Memorial Laboratory and Sage Bowers Hall, sub-dividing the space between them to create two new courtyards, and reintroducing the Yale collegiate urban structure.

The north side of the building is buried into the sloping site, allowing access on the two lower floors, as well as making new connections, knitting together the separate buildings of the faculty.  The west elevation of the building boldly 'announces' its presence on Prospect Street, and in contrast the west elevation opens out onto the historic Sachem's Wood.

The building is a four-storey rectangular volume with a steep pitched roof. It is constructed from a combination of natural and contemporary materials; stone, concrete, steel and glass.

We worked with Connecticut based firm Centerbrook who were the Architect of Record on this project.