THE FRONT STREET COMMON A New Commitment to Residential Life

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A Lifelong Community Principal Bill Rawson ’71 ; P’08

When I moved into Dunbar Hall as a lower in 1968, I did not know what to expect. I had never lived away from home, and Exeter was the most diverse place I had ever been to. Would I ft in? Did I belong?

These questions were quickly answered by the friendships that I formed in the dorm and the support I received from the proctors and faculty who lived there. Dunbar became “Residential life is foundational home, and I considered it the best dorm on campus — a sentiment I know most Exonians express about their own dorms. It is no surprise that when we Exonians meet, The new residential community on Front Street will de-to the Exeter experience.” even decades after graduation, our dorm afliation is liver on the promise of growth and transformation for

P R I N C I PA L B I L L R AW S O N 7 1 ; P 0 8 often as important to mention as our class year. Residen- new generations of Exonians. It is a critical part of the tial life is vital to the Exeter experience — transformation- Academy’s master plan to maintain a modern residential al in the personal growth it engenders and the lifelong experience for students that upholds the school’s mis-connections that form. Exeter, and Dunbar Hall, changed sion to “unite goodness and knowledge and inspire youth the course of my life. I gained confdence in myself from every quarter to lead purposeful lives.” through the support of others, and I formed friendships

I hope you will consider joining me in supporting this that remain intact to this day, 50 years after my gradua-

project, one that will assuredly provide students with a tion. This is unique to a boarding school education, and

deep sense of belonging that will span their lifetimes. particularly unique to Exeter, where most students re-main in the same dorm throughout their time on campus. Thank you.

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EXPANDING THE EXETER EXPERIENCE

Abbot. Dunbar. Wentworth. Wheelwright. After name and class year, alumni

identify themselves by their dorm — it’s that important to their Exeter experience. Now, for

the frst time in more than 50 years, the Academy is building on its transformative board-

ing tradition with a multiyear reinvestment in residential life. The new 42,000-square-foot

dormitory on Front Street launches this initiative and will ofer students and faculty modern

rooms in which to live, as well as inspirational spaces to learn and gather. Honoring the his-

torical architecture of its surroundings and meeting the highest environmental standards, the

structure will house 60 student beds, welcoming common areas and fve faculty apartments.

Inventive design work has also provided for much-needed academic space on the building’s

lower level with the addition of four Harkness classrooms.

The construction cost for the new dormitory is $24 million. An additional $3 million in endow-

ment is needed to support maintenance of the building in perpetuity.

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A N E X PA N S I V E G R E E N Q UA D U N I T E S T H E N E W D O R M W I T H T W O S M A L L E R R E S I D E N C E H A L L S D O W H O U S E A N D F R O N T S T R E E T A N D C R E AT E S A N A D D I T I O N A L O U T D O O R C O M M U N I T Y S PAC E T H AT E N C O U R AG E S C O N T I N U O U S

L E A R N I N G, E N GAG E M E N T A N D T H E D E V E L O P M E N T O F L A S T I N G C O N N E C T I O N S .

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Set upon the foundation of the former Fisher Theater, this new dormitory common

will turn the western campus into a lively community hub. Students will be just steps away

A E R I A L V I E W O F T H E N E W R E S I D E N T I A L C O M M O N

from the labs at the Phelps Science Center, the practice rooms of the Forrestal-Bowld Music

Center and the pews of Phillips Church. This ready access to a range of disciplines is designed

to reinforce the school’s commitment to intellectual rigor, self-discovery and empathy across

our student population.

F R O N T S T R E E T

NEW STUDENT DORMITORY

NEW CAMPUS GREEN

NEW ACADEMIC COURT

Forrestal-Bowld

Front Street Dorm

Dow House

The new dorm incorporates the historic Dow Barn and establishes a larger student housing community by sharing a green with two existing house dorms.

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E X PA N D I N G T H E E X E T E R E X P E R I E N C E

Building Community Much of the lifelong learning at Exeter happens in the dorm. It’s where students make lasting friendships. It’s where they connect with classmates from around the world and where teachers are neighbors and role models. The new Front Street Common prioritizes modern, supportive spaces for all of these moments of transformation and relationship-building. And it does so through efcient and sustainable design.

I N T H E L I G H T- F I L L E D, O P E N C O M M O N R O O M O N T H E M A I N F L O O R , S T U D E N T S F I N D S PAC E T O S E E A N D B E S E E N , R E L A X A N D R E F L E C T, A N D I N T E R AC T I N M Y R I A D WAY S .

2,500 S Q UA R E F E E T O F

A D D I T I O N A L C O M M U N I T Y C O M M O N S PAC E

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M A I N F LO O R

The common room and study can be configured to accommodate study sessions, all-dorm meetings and social activities for residents and afiliated day students.

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I N T E R I O R V I E W O F A C O M PAC T S I N G L E R O O M W I T H B U I LT- I N F U R N I T U R E

S E C O N D F LO O R

Modern faculty apart ments on each of the building s three floors feature shared terraces and separate entries to attract and retain Exeter s high-quality instructors.

E X PA N D I N G T H E E X E T E R E X P E R I E N C E

The design features 60 beds in energy-efcient single and double rooms. Flexible, multifunctional gathering spaces — including a kitchen, game room and common room — provide communal access to all of the dynamic, in-dorm interactions central to Exeter life.

GA M E R O O M V I E W

“ Dormitory living is very much in line with the Academy’s mission of uniting goodness and knowledge.

The dorms are particular spaces where students can develop a sense of belonging and engagement.”

C A R O L C A H A L A N E , D E A N O F R E S I D E N T I A L L I F E

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E X PA N D I N G T H E E X E T E R E X P E R I E N C E

Enhancing Harkness Learning To respond to a growing curriculum and sustain ongoing academic excellence across every discipline, the school is introducing an architectural model that situates Harkness learning adjacent to residential life. The four new Harkness classrooms on the building’s lower level, distinct from the dormitory space, will provide the Academy with greater fexibility to support academic programming and adapt to opportunities that will further enhance the student experience.

AC A D E M I C L O B B Y V I E W

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T H E D O R M A D D S 4 ,0 0 0 S Q UA R E F E E T O F N E W AC A D E M I C S PAC E .

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E X PA N D I N G T H E E X E T E R E X P E R I E N C E

Four Harkness classrooms, as well as departmental ofce space and a multipurpose lobby, are accessible from the rear entrance of the dorm’s lower level, creating an exciting expansion of Exeter’s

T H E D O R M S AC A D E M I C W I N G L E A D S O U T T O A R E A R C O U R T YA R D T H AT E X T E N D S L E A R N I N G B E YO N D academic base and an additional resource for teaching faculty. T H E C L A S S R O O M A N D C R E AT E S A S T R E N G T H E N E D S E N S E O F C O N N E C T I V I T Y A N D B E L O N G I N G.

LOW E R L E V E L

An academic lobby provides flexible space for department needs as well as a place for students to connect when not in class.

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4 H A R K N E S S C L A S S R O O M S

A D D E D T O C A M P U S

“ Our charge as boarding school teachers is to take care of the whole

child, to take into account the social and emotional factors that have an impact

on their learning and growth.” E L L E N W O L F F, D E A N O F FAC U LT Y

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E X PA N D I N G T H E E X E T E R E X P E R I E N C E

Sustainable Development In accordance with the Academy’s master plan, the new dorm will be constructed to honor the architectural vernacular and history of the area while providing residents with a modern space that incorporates the latest innovations in green building design. The historic Dow Barn will be preserved and renovated into two, two-bedroom faculty apartments. The entire building project will also meet the Academy’s strategic goals of reducing fossil fuel use and maximizing energy and water efciency while creating a comfortable, healthy space for students and faculty. A permanent endowment will be established to fund its ongoing care and maintenance in perpetuity.

30% R E D U C E D E N E R GY

C O S T S W I T H G R E E N B U I L D I N G D E S I G N

28 geothermal wells

T O S U P P O R T R E D U C T I O N O F F O S S I L F U E L U S E

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T H E W E S T E R N S I D E O F T H E B U I L D I N G F E AT U R E S S H A R E D FAC U LT Y PAT I O S A N D 1 3 R E S I D E N T PA R K I N G S PAC E S .

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Residential life teaches independence and connection, responsibility and service,

compromise and compassion. Not since 1969, when Main Street dorm and Ewald Hall

opened, has the Academy built a new residence hall. Our new commitment to residential

life at Exeter, in conjunction with bolstering the academic programming, will ensure the

campus grounds and facilities continue to support the Academy’s founding values and meet

the changing needs of Exonians today and tomorrow.

Be a part of this historic development and make a signifcant impact on the Exeter experience

for generations to come.

For questions about how to support this project, please contact Chuck Ramsay, director of

principal and major gifts, at cramsay@exeter.edu or 603-777-3482.

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