Set into the natural hillside overlooking the shores of Lake Mascoma, the new Dartmouth Sailing Center brings together performance, community, and thoughtful design.
The project includes two primary structures: a 2,800‑square‑foot boat barn for storing the sailing fleet and a 6,000‑square‑foot boathouse that supports both Dartmouth College’s varsity athletic programs and the Dartmouth Yacht Club.
The boathouse features an inviting interior anchored by a stone fireplace, expansive glass openings that frame sweeping lake and mountain views, and a dramatic curved wood ceiling in the main gathering space. Designed for modern training and competition needs, the facility includes two varsity locker rooms, a team room, a coaches’ office, and dedicated changing rooms for visiting teams and the community boating program. A dedicated viewing room and connected deck provide spectators with a comfortable vantage point to watch races while taking in the surrounding landscape.
Before construction began, the project team cleared the site of aging structures and overgrowth and completed ledge blasting to prepare the hillside for the new buildings. The design respects its environment, blending into the natural shoreline so the building’s scale remains unobtrusive from the water.
The new boat barn was purpose‑built to house the full fleet with boats fully rigged—masts up and sails on—streamlining daily operations and maximizing valuable time on the water. This represents a significant upgrade from the team’s previous 1950s facility, which required boats to be dismantled for storage. With improved efficiency and modern amenities, the new Sailing Center supports the varsity team, spectators, and the broader community boating program, all while celebrating the beauty and spirit of Lake Mascoma.
