Over the past two summers, Kent School has continued its steady commitment to modernizing the dormitories through extensive renovations to all the dorms on campus. Excitingly, Case and North Dorms added air conditioning to students’ rooms. These renovation projects are designed to improve comfort, sustainability, and community spaces.
Mr. Bergin and Mr. DellaValle, who participated in planning and led the renovations, provided great details for these projects:
The Case Dorm renovation, which began a year and a half ago, included upgraded carpeting, furniture, and a complete transformation of the common room. Most notably, a new air conditioning and heating system— a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) unit— was installed to increase energy efficiency. “These units can cool or heat multiple rooms at once while using much less power than traditional systems,” as Mr. Bergin and Mr. DellaValle explained. “The goal was comfort, but also sustainability.”
However, Case’s air conditioning system has been long delayed due to a wait for a crucial electrical panel. “It took a year and a half for that part to arrive,” Mr. Bergin noted. “But we finally received it this month and are hopeful the system will be up and running soon.”
Meanwhile, North Dorm, which was renovated again this recent summer after Case, has already seen positive results. With new furniture, flooring, and the faculty apartment expansions from a few years ago, it represents the broader progress outlined in Kent’s “5-year Plan” to improve the facilities in all the dorms. Field, MDS, Borsdorff, and Hoerle also all benefitted upgrades in faculty apartments and furniture.
“Case was really the test for installing AC systems. Now that the model is set, we’re hoping to bring similar upgrades to other dorms like Hoerle, Field, Borsdorff, and MDS.”
Looking ahead, Kent’s long-term vision extends beyond dormitories. Upcoming campus projects include a renovated dining hall and student center, followed by a major Schoolhouse renovation and future updates to the chapel and athletic facilities.
“Ultimately, sustainability is our top priority,” as Mr. Bergin and Mr. DellaValle emphasized. “We want students to take pride in their dorms— these spaces are their homes for four years. Our goal is to make them both beautiful and environmentally responsible.”