Looking Ahead In 2023: A New Dorm For Solebury School

SOLEBURY TOWNSHIP, PA - Construction is underway on Hope Hall, a new 32-bed dormitory at the Solebury School expected to be completed in time for the 2023-24 school year.

The new dormitory, which also includes four faculty apartments, is part of Solebury's strategic plan to grow enrollment to 300 students, with a balance of 150 boarding students and 150 day students by 2030.

"Modest growth of our boarding population will enrich the overall student experience as additional students will allow for richer classroom discussion, robust athletic teams, populated clubs and activities, and an active residential life program," said school leaders. "Building a new dormitory is a key first step toward meeting this goal."

The new building, designed by Metcalfe Architecture & Design, is being built to Passive House standards and designed to be as energy-efficient as possible. It will be among the first residence halls in Pennsylvania, and in the U.S. to employ these technologies.

The Passive House building aligns with the school's sustainability vision and the adoption of sustainable community practices. The multi-unit residence will significantly reduce the school's carbon footprint and energy consumption, according to the architects. And the exterior will be farmhouse-inspired with modern amenities for the interior.

"Our campus, originally a farmstead, houses buildings dating back to the mid-18th century. Daily reminders of its early agrarian history are prominent, with the original farmhouse and other struct that have been converted into modern offices and learning spaces," said Tom Wilschutz, Head of School. "The 140-acre campus footprint has grown, allowing for the housing expansion as we look to complete the first phase of Solebury School's Strategic Plan. We are experiencing our largest and most diverse boarding enrollment since the late 1960's and will continue to grow. Adding a new dormitory will allow us to enroll more boarding students and will be the first new building on campus since 2007. The additional dormitory and planned infrastructure upgrades will support our students, faculty, and facilities now and into the future."

The dorm's architects spent a significant amount of time on campus learning what makes Solebury a unique and special place and that the new building must be "of Solebury" and blend with the unique characteristics of the campus's scale, traditional elements, and philosophy.

The result is a dorm that provides 32 student beds and responds to the needs of current students while also being flexible enough to allow for change over time.

In addition to the new dormitory, Solebury School will be replacing its aging wastewater treatment plant, which is needed to support future growth at the school.

Using microbioreactor technology (MBR), the new wastewater treatment plant will essentially become one of the most sophisticated outdoor laboratories on campus, said school officials.

When complete, Solebury School will incorporate the MBR technology into its science curriculum to teach students microbiology, water resources, environmental stewardship, and sustainable culture.

The project is being funded through "Shaping Solebury: Building for Our Future," the school's first capital campaign in over a decade. The first phase includes adding student and faculty living spaces and improving the campus infrastructure with responsible systems.

"Seeing the first phase of our Strategic Plan begin to unfold is inspiring," said Assistant Head of School: Advancement & External Affairs Jennifer K. Burns. "Thanks to thoughtful planning that included input from the community and leadership support from our alumni, parents, and friends of the school, we’re making great progress for Solebury School. Our Shaping Solebury campaign has inspired many, including the E.E. Ford Foundation and Jay ’59 and Kären Abbe who have created challenge grants where new gifts will generate additional support. Our community's generosity will benefit generations of Solebury students to come. It is an incredible time to be at Solebury School."