Historic Connecticut School Building Undergoes Revamp
By SCN Staff
GLASTONBURY, Conn. – This spring, the renovation and addition to the 1906 Kent School Admissions Building marked the 17th shovel in the ground for the SLAM Collaborative design and construction team on the Kent School campus, a private, co-educational preparatory located in bucolic north western Connecticut.
As part of this renovation project, the SLAM team has updated the front façade to replicate the original front entrance.
With a completion date slated for this fall, the renovation of the existing structure and excavation for the new addition began in March before the implications of the COVID-19 regulations were fully initiated. The SLAM Construction Services (SLAM CS) team has worked with the school to make the construction site safe for students, staff and subcontractors. The cost of this project is not being disclosed at this time.
This project has been selected by The Hartford Insurance Company as a pilot for Triax Technologies’ new Spot-r safety program that electronically monitors every individual on the construction site. The software allows the on-site superintendent to monitor location, falls and equipment use. In addition to this risk mitigating tool, SLAM CS has implemented all required construction site health precautions as per CDC guidelines.
The renovation to the original 2,500-square foot Admissions Building includes new windows, siding, roof, insulation, interior finishes, and sprinklers. The renovated space will feature a welcoming new waiting area with fireplace, a large new conference room, a new multi-level open stairway and elevator connecting to the new addition and upper floors.
The new 2,500-square foot two-story addition connects to the existing building with an elegant porch and patio, reflective of the school’s period architectural style. This entry level ties the two structures together and blends into the hillside and surrounding campus. The new addition will include admissions department offices and interview rooms, a small event space doubling as a conference room and a large interview room to support the growing demands of the department.
When the school was founded 114 years ago, the current Admissions Building, referred to as “Old Main,” was the original farmhouse on the property.” At that time, it was home to the entire school of six students.
Over the years the house has undergone a series of evolutions. Originally it formed the core of a wood framed, white clapboard campus complex that was subsequently replaced by the brick Georgian campus, initiated in the 1920s and continuing to the present day.
In 1960, the building was moved down the hill to its current location near the main entrance to the campus. Due to complications with the move, the building was placed with the original front door facing the rear of the site.
The SLAM Collaborative is a national, multi-disciplinary design firm offering architecture, planning, interior design, landscape architecture, site planning and structural engineering services. In addition, S/L/A/M Construction Services offers pre-construction, design build and construction management throughout the New England region. Its focus is on higher education, K-12 public/private education and other sectors.