The Spence School, an independent K-12 all-girls school founded in 1892, has had a long-standing goal to bring competitive distinction to its athletics program by building a facility with a regulation-size gymnasium and tournament-ready squash courts. Once a site was found, The Spence School engaged Rogers Partners to further develop the program and to design a building that fits into the larger Spence campus and provides a welcome addition to the neighborhood.

Spence 412 (named for its address) grew from its original concept of an athletic facility to also support programmatic expansion in K-12 ecological and environmental studies, further amplify the performing arts program and serve as a new community hub for the School. The result is a six-story, 58,000 SF athletics, arts and ecology building that combines a regulation-size gymnasium for volleyball and basketball with seating for 450 spectators; a student center; nine squash courts, including an exhibition court with spectator seating for 60; a multipurpose room for the performing arts; an ecology center with a teaching lab and kitchen; as well as a greenhouse and outdoor rooftop space.

Join Stefano Paci, Senior Associate with Rogers Partners, who managed this project from schematic design to opening day, on a tour of this elegant and engaging new facility.