Erland Construction completes multi-phase campus enhancement at Tenacre Country Day School

Wellesley, MA Erland Construction, in partnership with Olson Lewis + Architects and Scalora Consulting Group, is proud to announce the successful completion of a transformative series of projects at Tenacre Country Day School. This major campus enhancement included the relocation and revitalization of the school’s historic Appledore building, the construction of a new, purpose-built Design Center, and the renovation of interior space into a dynamic Learning Hub & Teacher Support Center.

Together, these three projects have delivered more than 17,000 s/f of innovative, student-focused learning environments that support Tenacre’s mission of whole-child education. All construction activities were carefully coordinated to maintain the safety and continuity of day-to-day school operations, a reflection of Erland’s deep experience working in active academic settings.

Originally constructed in 1880, the 4,120 s/f Appledore served for decades as the headmaster’s residence. Erland carefully relocated the historic structure to a new location on campus, preserving its architectural integrity while performing a complete renovation. Today, Appledore serves as the school’s new home for Admissions and Development – seamlessly blending historic charm with modern functionality and welcoming families, staff, and guests alike.

In the building’s original location, Erland constructed the new 9,480 s/f Design Center into a sloped site, maximizing programmatic space while maintaining a modest footprint. This three-story facility includes bright and airy art studios designed for simultaneous upper and lower school use, a flexible technology classroom and design studio that fosters hands-on innovation, and a fully equipped woodshop with adjacent collaborative flex space to support project-based learning, after-school programming, and indoor recess. The Design Center was intentionally designed to inspire creativity and exploration, encouraging students to discover, collaborate, and create.

In addition to Appledore and the Design Center, Erland transformed 3,100 s/f of former admissions space into a new Learning Hub & Teacher Support Center. This revitalized area offers flexible seating and study zones, breakout rooms for small group instruction, a resource library to enrich academic programming, and a modern kitchenette and workspace that supports faculty wellness and collaboration.

“These projects collectively represent a remarkable step forward for Tenacre,” said Will Crissman, head of school at Tenacre Country Day School. “Appledore’s relocation and revitalization honor our history while providing a welcoming new home for Admissions and Development. The Design Center is a bold investment in creativity and innovation, offering students spaces that encourage exploration and hands-on learning. And the new Learning Hub & Teacher Support Center strengthens both academic programming and faculty collaboration. Throughout this entire process, Erland has been a true partner, bringing professionalism, collaboration, and respect for our school community every step of the way. We are thrilled with the results and excited for the opportunities these new spaces create for our students and teachers.”

Ben McConchie, academic group manager at Erland Construction, said, “The opportunity to honor Appledore’s legacy while constructing new spaces that support Tenacre’s future has been incredibly rewarding. We’re proud to have played a role in creating environments that preserve the past, enrich the present, and inspire the next generation of learners.”

This project marks Erland Construction’s first collaboration with Tenacre Country Day School and reinforces the firm’s commitment to delivering high-quality academic environments through thoughtful planning, strong partnerships, and a shared dedication to education.