Aliki Perroti & Seth Frank Lyceum

The Aliki Perroti & Seth Frank Lyceum at Amherst College exemplifies innovation and design excellence through its integration of a restored Greek Revival house with a contemporary new addition. The hybrid wood structural system, featuring glulam and CLT, demonstrates technical innovation while creating warm, light-filled spaces to foster intellectual collaboration. 

The project’s innovative approach lies in its strategic material optimization: exposed mass timber creates visual impact in common spaces, while cost-effective prefabricated wood trusses and LVL framing serve concealed office areas. This system balances aesthetics, performance, and budget. 

Guided by ILFI's Zero Carbon standard, the project achieved an embodied carbon footprint of just 69 kg CO2e/sf (biogenic) through extensive use of FSC-certified wood, supporting Amherst's 2030 carbon-neutrality goal. The super-insulated wood envelope contributes to a net operational EUI of approximately 15 kBTU/sf/yr, demonstrating how wood enables both embodied and operational carbon reduction. The Lyceum's impact extends beyond campus, proving that mid-scale academic buildings can successfully blend historic preservation with cutting-edge sustainable design.