Dartmo.

Centerbrook’s new Varsity House has been approved by the Trustees, but the Biology Department’s building is still in planning (The Dartmouth | press release).

Section [pdf] and west elevation [pdf] drawings of the Varsity House proposed by Centerbrook (June 10, 2005) are on line.

The three-level building is inspired more by the grandstand’s 1950s press box than the brick west façade of Memorial Field; the return to Modernism takes the building closer in form and finish to Berry Gym than to Davis Field House.   The building’s green metal (?) panels will make it the first substantial building at Dartmouth that is green in color.   The focal point of the building’s long field facade is a row of windows marked by a raised parapet with the name DARTMOUTH on it, a response to the press box.

The new east stand in front of the building will be less than half as deep as the current east stand, though it will be longer and obscure part of the facade of Leverone.   The new building and stand together will be shallower than the current stand, effectively enlarging Red Rolfe Field.

Tully International, which renovated Leverone Field House, also designed a two-hundred-foot long addition to the field house, presumably to extend it westward in the direction of the football field.   The school’s subsequent decision to build a new varsity house behind the east stands may have put this plan on hold.

A smaller grandstand will replace the existing East Stands at Memorial Field:

A press release has more on the Varsity House, soccer field, gym, and other projects.

The Valley News has more on the Trustees’ latest planning.   Deciding to build a new Varsity House alongside a new East Stand has allowed the school to include in its already-begun renovation of Alumni Gym the removal of the recent Manley varsity strength training center.   A student fitness center will take its place in the top of the gym, replacing the existing Kresge facility.

Dartmouth will build a new east stand at Memorial Field adjacent to a three-level varsity fieldhouse according to a press release.   The building will overlook the football field and its upper level will have a good view of the game.   [Updated 06.18.2005.]