The Thacher School Creative & Technology Building
Transforming Education: Tangram Collaborates with The Thacher School to Create Innovative Learning Spaces for a Resilient Future
Understanding what drives the need for change
The Thacher School in Ojai, California, faced a pivotal moment in reimagining education for the modern world. This elite boarding school had built its reputation on a unique combination of rigorous academics, character-building challenges, and authentic community culture. However, their existing classroom building no longer served the dynamic, interdisciplinary learning that today's students require. The school needed a space that would honor their rustic traditions while embracing 21st-century pedagogical approaches.
The vision called for a 23,000-square-foot Creative & Technology Building that would anchor a campus-wide transformation of the learning environment. This wasn't simply about replacing outdated facilities—it was about creating a hub where students could engage in project-based learning, collaborate across disciplines, and develop the resilience and innovation skills needed for tomorrow's challenges. The building needed to seamlessly blend high-tech maker spaces with traditional studios, all while maintaining strong connections to both the natural campus setting and the school's established architectural character.
How we brought the vision to life
The design solution centered around a brilliant organizing principle: a transparent, light-filled atrium that would serve as the heart of all activity. Three robust, barn-shaped structures surrounded this central collaboration core, housing adaptable art studios, science labs, robotics workshops, and flexible classrooms. This configuration created both visual and physical connections at every scale—from individual study to campus-wide gatherings.
The two-story collaboration space at the building's heart became the key to fostering interdisciplinary learning. This transparent core could transform from informal lecture hall to exhibition gallery to design critique space, supporting the fluid nature of modern education. Every surrounding space—whether high-tech maker room or traditional studio—connected directly to this central hub and to outdoor work areas, creating seamless flow between different types of learning. The furniture strategy reinforced this flexibility through contract-grade pieces that could adapt to changing needs: Formaspace work tables with maple surfaces, mobile whiteboards, modular seating, and rolling storage that supported both structured instruction and spontaneous collaboration.
3 professionals brought this vision to life
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