(Beaver Dam) Wayland Academy’s new dormitory for girls has won a commercial design award. Beaver Dam’s coed college preparatory school’s Burnham Hall opened its doors last August to its very first residents: junior and senior high school girls from countries across the world.
In April, the Wisconsin chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) held its annual Celebration in Design awards ceremony, recognizing the recent innovative solutions and outstanding designs of Wisconsin-based interior designers and firms. HGA, the Milwaukee-based architecture firm, submitted Burnham Hall’s floorplan and photos for the ‘Home’ category. They earned the Award of Excellence for their work.
Head of School Jason Warnick says Wayland was honored to be a part of this distinction.
“Burnham Hall represents the commitment from our trustees and our alumni who made it possible to build this beautiful building for the young women of Wayland to live and learn in,” says Warnick. “This award reflects what we felt for the last year which is sort of mission accomplished in terms of the vision for the space…which was to bring the young women together and the young when they come and spend time and the faculty and the faculty’s family in a space that feels like home…that is fresh…that is new.”
The new 30,000-square-foot dormitory houses 68 students as well as faculty members on each floor. School officials say Burnham Hall’s emphasis on natural light and calming, simplistic rooms make it easy for all residents to express themselves, make the space their own, and inspire feelings of home.
They add that the two-story atrium features a large fireplace, lounge furniture, a television, video and board games, puzzles, and other recreational activities. Study alcoves at the ends of each wing overlook Wayland’s historic campus. Students will return to campus in August for the 2023-2024 school year.
