A new town hall for Norwich, Vermont

Abstract

... the public building is not an abstract symbol, but partakes in daily life, which relates to what is timeless and common. The objective of this thesis was to design a new town hall for Norwich, Vermont. The design approach was based on the thought that one can successfully design a building for a diverse and changing group of people that embodies some shared conception of what their town is and what it will be. It was developed in a way that tried to reflect Norwich's unique physical characteristics, way of life, and manner of governance, while incorporating the author's desire to make an architectural statement that synthesizes local traditions and modem techniques. The actual form of the building was further influenced by its prominent corner site, the programmatic requirements, and the organizational relationships of the various parts.