A Newly Designed Academic Courtyard to Transform the Heart of Campus
A major campus improvement is underway at Brewster that will significantly enhance the way students experience the physical beauty, safety, and sense of connection at the center of campus.
The project, to be named the Reyes Family Courtyard in honor of lead donor and trustee Andrew Reyes ’06, will transform the area between Estabrook Dining Hall, the Academic Building, and the Grayson Student Center into a central academic greenspace. By relocating the existing parking lot and prioritizing pedestrian pathways, the project will create a more cohesive, welcoming, and navigable campus environment designed around how students actually live, learn, and move throughout their day.
“This project is about bringing clarity and cohesion to the heart of campus,” said Head of School Kristy Kerin. “The Reyes Family Courtyard will enhance safety, improve wayfinding, and create a beautiful, shared space where students naturally gather. It is a meaningful next step in Brewster’s thoughtful evolution.”
A Natural Next Chapter for Central Campus
The Reyes Family Courtyard builds on recent campus improvements, most notably the transformation of the historic Rogers Building into the modern Grayson Student Center. Once again, Brewster is partnering with studioDSK, the award-winning architecture firm that led that project, to help envision and create this important new space.
“The new courtyard represents an evolution of the heart of Brewster’s campus,” said Andy Smith, AIA, LEED AP, senior associate at studioDSK. “By shifting parking and service areas closer to South Main Street, we are strengthening the green spaces at the core of the academic experience while improving pedestrian flow and safety.”
The redesigned courtyard will clarify campus circulation, reduce vehicular traffic in one of the busiest intersections on campus, and provide a central outdoor gathering space that feels distinctly Brewster—open, connected, and grounded in place.
“The team at studioDSK truly understands Brewster,” Kerin added. “They appreciate our values, our history, and our connection to the broader Wolfeboro community, and they consistently bring an eye for what will most benefit students.”
Honoring the Vision of Andrew Reyes ’06
The courtyard is named in honor of Andrew Reyes ’06, whose leadership support made the project possible. Reyes, a Brewster alum and trustee since 2021, credits his time at the school as formative.
Arriving in Wolfeboro as a sophomore from Lake Forest, Illinois, Reyes quickly became deeply engaged in campus life. Like many students, he discovered who he was as a learner at Brewster, an experience that shaped his academic and professional path long after graduation. ”Brewster changed my life. It instilled a confidence I didn't know I had and made me believe that the future I dreamed about was truly within reach. At a critical point in my life, Brewster gave me the tools, the skills, and the support I needed, and the friendships and bonds I made there are ones I will never forget. I am deeply grateful for my time in Wolfeboro, and I cannot wait to see this courtyard take shape.”
“Andrew brings the perspective of an alum who knows this campus intimately and a trustee who cares deeply about quality and detail,” said Kerin. “He has pushed us to think carefully about how campus spaces shape student experience, and his leadership has been instrumental in moving this project forward.”
In addition to Reyes’ leadership gift, the project is supported by several secondary donors and a significant grant from an anonymous foundation.
What Students Will Notice Most
For students, the most visible change will be simple but powerful: green space replacing pavement and pathways that get them where they need to be.
The current parking lot in front of the Grayson Student Center will be removed and relocated along South Main Street, behind Haines and Goodwin dorms. In its place, students will experience a pedestrian-first courtyard with open lawns, clear pathways, and gathering areas designed for daily use.
“A primary goal of the project is to improve safety by creating more separation between pedestrian and vehicular traffic,” Kerin explained. “This is one of the busiest junctions on campus, with students constantly moving between residence halls, the dining hall, classes, and practices. Reducing cars in this space will make a meaningful difference.”
The design also includes improved ADA-compliant walkways, ensuring accessibility for all members of the community.
“I see this as the finishing touch to the Grayson Student Center project,” Kerin said. “We’re fixing the triangulation of travel between our most-used buildings and putting pathways where students already walk.”
Construction Timeline and Campus Impact
Enabling work for the project was completed this winter, including excavation and the relocation of utilities. Most visible construction will take place starting in April and continuing into the summer of 2026.
During this time, members of the campus community can expect some construction noise and fenced-off work areas during weekdays. The school is working carefully to minimize disruption, including keeping key parking areas open as long as possible and coordinating logistics related to deliveries and events.
“We know construction can be inconvenient,” Kerin said. “We’re committed to managing the process thoughtfully and communicating clearly as work progresses.”
Importantly, the new parking lot will not reduce the total number of parking spaces on campus and may even add a few.
Preserving a Beloved Tradition: Senior Bricks
A special feature of the Reyes Family Courtyard will be a new home for Brewster’s cherished Senior Bricks. The bricks (both those currently in place and those carved by recent graduates awaiting installation) will be installed in a new patio between the Academic Building and Estabrook Dining Hall.
“This tradition means so much to our alumni,” Kerin said. “We’re excited that returning graduates will be able to find their bricks in a beautiful new setting.”
The redesigned placement also protects the bricks for the future. New walkways will allow snow removal without plowing directly over the brick surface, preserving them for generations to come.
“Some of my favorite alumni interactions are helping people find their brick,” said Peter Gilligan, Chief Technology and Operations Officer. “It’s incredibly meaningful, and this new design protects that tradition.”
Putting the “Green” in Greenspace
The landscape design for the courtyard is led by Naomi Cottrell, PLA, ASLA, LEED AP, principal of Boston-based Crowley Cottrell, in collaboration with studioDSK. For Cottrell, the project is about more than aesthetics.
“We believe deeply in the power of quality open space,” she said. “At a boarding school with a rigorous academic schedule, having a calm outdoor space to gather and relax provides real respite.”
The design prioritizes pedestrian movement and encourages students and visitors to experience campus at a walking pace where they can be more aware of the lake, the landscape, and the surrounding community.
All plantings are rooted in place, with New England native trees and shrubs selected to thrive in the local climate. Large canopy trees will anchor the space, providing shade and structure for decades to come, while thoughtfully placed plantings soften the edges of pathways and parking areas.
Sightlines to Lake Winnipesaukee were a key consideration. Pathways and gathering spaces are aligned to maintain visual connections to the water that is so central to Brewster’s identity.
Adding a deeply local touch, Brewster parent Len Brochu P’19, ’26, owner of Brochu Nurseries and Landscaping, will install the plantings and stonework for the courtyard. The Brochu team also completed landscaping around the renovated Rogers Building.
“It’s always special when Brewster families contribute their expertise to a project like this,” said Director of Advancement John Northrop.
Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability
Environmental responsibility has been central to planning the Reyes Family Courtyard. By replacing impervious pavement with green space, the project improves stormwater management and reduces runoff into Lake Winnipesaukee.
“With less pavement, the ground can absorb more water naturally,” Gilligan explained. “We’ve worked carefully to protect the watershed.”
The new parking lot includes a central rain garden and modern drainage infrastructure designed to filter runoff and meet best-practice environmental standards. These changes reflect Brewster’s long-term commitment to sustainable campus development.
A Positive Impact Beyond Campus
The project will also enhance the experience of those who live in and visit Wolfeboro. Consolidating driveways along South Main Street will reduce curb cuts, improving safety for pedestrians, runners, and cyclists while smoothing traffic flow along one of the town’s main corridors.
Replacing pavement with trees and professional landscaping will beautify a prominent gateway into town, benefiting neighbors and first-time visitors alike.
Looking Ahead
The Reyes Family Courtyard is designed not only for today’s students, but for future generations. The open greenspace will serve as a flexible gathering area, supporting informal recreation, outdoor studying, community events, and quiet moments of connection.
“We imagine students playing spikeball, relaxing in Adirondack chairs, gathering with friends, enjoying an outdoor class, or simply enjoying a calm space free of cars,” Kerin said. “However they make it their own, we’re confident this courtyard will beautifully enhance the center of campus.”
While the project is fully underway thanks to the generosity of the Reyes Family and other donors, there remain opportunities for community members interested in supporting this important campus improvement. Those interested may contact John Northrop at jnorthrop@brewsteracademy.org.
