The Thaden School in Bentonville, Arkansas, has been awarded the 2025 Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize (MCHAP) for its exceptional design. The 30-acre middle and high school campus was a collective effort by Marlon Blackwell Architects, EskewDumezRipple, and Andropogon Associates. The project showcases a deep connection with the rural Ozark region, incorporating local vernacular elements and emphasizing the relationship between built structures and the landscape.
Key Features of the Thaden School Design:
– Rural Vernacular Inspiration: The design team drew inspiration from the region’s agricultural buildings, incorporating gabled structures, screened porches, and attention to the landscape and grounds.
– Connection to the Outdoors: The campus design emphasizes the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, with large spans of glazing, open-air passageways, and outdoor rooms.
– Collaborative Design: The project was a collective effort by multiple design teams, resulting in a powerful composition that invites public engagement and encourages learning, recreation, and civic gathering.
The jury praised Thaden School for its rootedness to site and context, noting that the design “powerfully interprets the pedagogical mission of ‘youth learning by doing’.” The campus comprises multiple buildings, each with a unique program, connected by pathways and designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.
Image Courtesy: archpaper.com
