Middlebury College New Squash Facility | Middlebury, Vermont | 2013

Architects: ARC/ Architectural Resources Cambridge
Client: Middlebury College
General Contractor: Engelberth Construction, Inc.
Photographs: Courtesy of ARC/ Architectural Resources Cambridge

Providing spectacular views of the College’s athletic fields and Green Mountain range beyond, the new 17,775-square-foot Squash Center at Middlebury College provides nine new international-size squash courts. Tiered seating featured adjacent to the courts provides much needed space for spectators and visiting teams enabling the College to host major tournaments. A fitness center, coach’s office and public entry lobby with restrooms complete the program spaces.

The Center’s addition is directly linked to the school’s existing athletic complex and was designed as an extension of the facility, featuring nine new international-size squash courts. The facility will be connected by a large, sunlit lobby space that serves as a major circulation space for visitors, students and athletes.

The exterior envelope is made up of a rain screen panel system that sits on a board formed concrete base as well large expanses of curtainwall to allow an abundance of natural light into the space. Two different types of panels for the exterior finish are used – concrete fiber-board and phenolic panels. To date, the majority of the curtainwall has been installed, leaving certain portions to be installed later after the large squash courts have been brought into the building. By building a mock up on site of each of the exterior envelope systems, our team was able to flush out all the details prior to starting the installation on the building.

The Squash Center has an open and energetic spectator seating area in the center surrounded by the 9 courts, allowing for viewing of multiple matches at one time. The squash courts are made up of a mixture of new and recycled components, including five courts that were saved prior to demolition in the new building; saving the college $150,000.  In the center of the seating area, there is a large skylight that will serve as the main source of light in the space.  Additionally, a fitness area is available for teams that are not currently participating in a match to stay warmed up.


Sustainability is at forefront of the decision making process employed by our Design Team.  The project is registered for LEED Gold certification. A number of sustainable design elements were incorporated including an energy efficient exterior envelope system as well as mechanical systems.

In addition, in the spring of 2014, a vegetated roof system was installed on the roof of the Center. The green roof is not only for sustainable purposes, but we envision this roof as an extension of the playing fields and preserving the views over the building from the existing third floor lounge. The team has maintained an energy model throughout the design and construction process to ensure that our sustainable goals will be achieved.