Sasaki
The annual American Institute of Architects (AIA) New England Architecture Awards recognizes design excellence in New England from regional and global architects and celebrates projects of all sizes, types, and budgets. For the 2025 program, Sasaki is proud to announce that the Lawrenceville School Tsai Commons and Field House was honored with a Merit Award for Excellence in Architecture.
Born out of Sasaki’s comprehensive master plan for The Lawrenceville School, the new Tsai Commons and Field House was completed in the spring of 2024. The project reimagines student life on campus, creating a new heart for community, wellness, and connection.
A contemporary interpretation of Lawrenceville’s historic Olmstead campus, the Tsai Commons and Field House reflects the school’s active commitment to intellectual, emotional and physical nourishment. Articulated as a sequence of pavilions with undulating rooflines and expansive interior spaces, the design unites dining, fitness, and community programming within a single interconnected environment.
The architecture embraces the site’s topography, nestling high-volume venues such as the pool, ice arena, and gymnasium into a lower plateau, achieving balance with the scale of surrounding structures. At the main entrance, the Harkness Courtyard defines the main entry experience with its wooden pergola and articulation of open space and architectural form. Inside, promenades intuitively link all program spaces which are framed and clad in wood, a warm, unifying element that winds through the building and establishes a sense of connection and unity.
The lobby interior is fully transparent to the rounded Harkness Courtyard
Concave ceilings create a curved profile that also allows for lateral light through the clerestories
New auxiliary gymnasium
The multi purpose studio serves a variety of student activities like yoga, dance, and karate
The lobby interior is fully transparent to the rounded Harkness Courtyard
Concave ceilings create a curved profile that also allows for lateral light through the clerestories
New auxiliary gymnasium
The multi purpose studio serves a variety of student activities like yoga, dance, and karate
"Inside, the design fosters connection and joy. The spatial layout integrates athletics, dining, and wellness in a way that enhances daily experience for students; whether gathering in the light-filled dining hall, passing through the Harkness Courtyard, or participating in athletics and performance. Curved ceilings and crafted detailing elevate functional spaces into moments of architectural delight, reinforcing the school’s commitment to holistic education and student well-being."
-2025 AIA New England Awards Jury
Reflecting Lawrenceville’s mission to “inspire the best in each student,” the Tsai Commons and Field House stands as a bold yet contextual contribution to the campus, fostering community and well-being for many generations of students to come. This project demonstrates how thoughtful design can unify community, amplify campus spirit, and set a new standard for educational environments that are as inspiring as they are functional.
Sasaki congratulates all of the 2025 AIA New England award recipients for their inspiring contributions to the built environment. To learn more about the award-winning projects, visit the AIA New England’s page.
