The Nonotuck Building, designed for an amenity lot in Northampton, Massachusetts, takes its name from the area’s former Indigenous name. “Nonotuck” means “in the midst of the river” in Algonquin, reflecting the reason both Native Americans and English settlers chose to live in this region.

The northeast side of the building is shaped like the Connecticut River as it flows through Northampton, with the iconic Oxbow—immortalized by Thomas Cole in a painting displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art—serving as the building’s main entrance. While one side pays tribute to the land’s original inhabitants, the other side features a porch inspired by the shape of Samuel Wright’s 17th-century lot, on which the building now stands. The contrasting geometries evoke the tension between hunter-gatherer communities and sedentary agricultural settlers.

The first floor features a double-height atrium and a grocery store located at the rear. A curving staircase leads visitors to the base of the Greek theater, a small performance space that forms the centerpiece of the building. The third floor includes a café and standing-room space overlooking the theater (3). Atop the building, a large sculpture inspired by the curve of the river provides shade while housing photovoltaic panels that partially power the structure.