Bala House Montessori School

• Bala Cynwyd, PA

• 5,800 sqft

• Heckendorn Shiles Architects

Located on the historic campus of the Church of Saint Asaph in Lower Merion Township, PA, the Bala House is a small, community-based Montessori preschool and kindergarten. The 5,800 sqft addition includes new classrooms, two offices, and a meeting room. 

The design of the new addition was meant to compliment, reference, and respect the existing architecture without copying it. The design utilized existing elements as an inspiration for updated architectural forms and site planning: pointed arches at entryways, a cloister for the new accessible ramp, engaged buttresses, stone facades, cast stone detailing, hipped roof forms, a completion of the interior courtyard, and respect for the existing ceremonial site attributes.

By creating contemporary versions of existing materials and architectural forms, the design compliments the existing campus. Window sills, cabinetry, and furniture appropriately scaled down for young children’s use, as well as access to natural light and provision of indirect lighting, were incorporated into the design. Environmentally sensitive interior finish selections and the use of recylced eco-friendly products enhance the project.