Cornwall Central School District

Cornwall High School, conceived as an extension of its magnificent site, is a learning environment filled with daylight and visually connected to nature throughout. Embedded on a hillside in the heart of the Hudson Valley, an area characterized by rolling topography and train trestle bridges that cross many valleys, the building strategically utilizes the steepest part of the site, reserving flatter areas for playfields.

Two linear “bars” are carefully placed following the topography, minimizing the need for excavation and framing the student courtyard/ amphitheater, which is bisected by a diagonal glass “trestle” that connects public and private spaces and culminates in a cantilevered media center reading room that captures spectacular views of the Hudson Valley. Classroom corridors reflect a “train track” rhythm, reinforcing the popularity and nostalgia of the region’s trains and trestles. The large gym and pool volumes are recessed below the entrance grade capped by a gently curving roofline recalling the hills beyond.