Swarthmore Crum Ledge Cottages

Swarthmore, PA

Bringing mid-century cottages into the 21st century as student housing

Three big ideas:

Nature connection
Renovation
Electrification

To create ‘swing space’ to enable the renovation of existing dorm buildings, and to create a new on-campus housing type, Swarthmore College is updating and converting existing 1940s faculty housing to student housing. Perched in the woods above a bend in the Crum Creek, the houses have never been systematically upgraded and feature a mix of building systems, finishes, and window types. To simplify maintenance and bring each of the eight units into alignment with current Swarthmore sustainability, operations, student housing, and maintenance requirements, Re:Vision is working under a design-build contract to upgrade all units to the same standards. The budget-focused project is being completed on a compressed schedule and includes the addition of a bedroom, conversion of existing half baths to full bathrooms, and system replacements and kitchen renovations to remove gas service from the units. Site improvements will enable student gathering in a common front courtyard, as well as more private rear patios to connect students to tranquil views across the woods and creek below.

Project Gallery

Looking up the hill at both buildings of Crum Ledge Cottages across the shared lawn - including a grill!
The original construction steps the cottages down a steep hillside.
Each cottage has a distinctive color scheme starting at the front door.
Renovated cottages include updated finishes, improved lighting, and efficient windows.
The project maintained the existing trees at the site perimeter to continue the connection to nature from the interior.
The living room of each cottage faces out into the woods.
Students have a kitchen and dining room in each unit.
Original open wood wall ties together the view from the front door through to the common space and to the trees beyond.
Eight cottages of Crum Ledge face an open shared green
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