Gambier, Ohio
Kenyon’s newest residence hall, Bexley Hall, has housed many different groups in the past. Built between 1839 and 1843, it was originally constructed to be a seminary. Over the years, it has been used as offices for Kenyon’s Divinity School, the college’s finance offices, and Kenyon’s Art Department. Finally, in January of 2024 it became a true home again. This time it’s for students.
Blending modern elements with the original architecture, Bexley Hall offers comfort in a unique setting. Leah Reuber, director of residential life, notes that this is her favorite feature of the hall because the restoration has not covered up the original features but has revived them. “One of the double rooms has the most magnificent view of campus through the original Gothic-style bay window that looks out from the lounge space.”
The hall offers 40 beds configured in six 6-person suites and two standalone doubles (one of which is earmarked for the community advisor). Each suite has its own private lounge. There is also a common kitchen, laundry room, two common area lounges, and a recreation lounge. “It has been a truly unique experience to see Bexley Hall stripped down and beautifully remastered in my time here,” says Reuber.
Another exciting piece of the project has been renovating the hall attached to Bexley and turning it into an event space. Colburn Hall, which used to be a library during the building’s seminary days, offers meeting and event space for about 100 people. It has a wide-open floor plan with an attached patio and is equipped with a lighting and sound system.
For months, students and staff were excitedly waiting to get a glimpse of the inside of these two new halls. Tours were full before students moved in, and, while they are lined up to live there for the spring semester of 2024, the demand may be even higher for autumn 2024. The housing design is so popular here that their plans for new builds, residence halls on the south end of campus, include suite configurations like those at Bexley.
A bonus feature of the project is the aerial view of Bexley, which sits in the middle of a heart formed by the sidewalk that surrounds it. “This was not an intentional design, just something that naturally came to fruition during the construction and landscaping process,” says Reuber. For her, this project has been an interesting walk through campus history, and she appreciates the exciting reality that now, fully renovated, Bexley and Colburn will remain standing at Kenyon College. “From the beams to the windows it's a great reminder that this has been, and will continue to be, a fixture of Kenyon College.” — Camille Perlman
Spotlight is your chance to show off recent construction or renovation projects. Member institutions and architects are encouraged to share details about hall features, related programs, and how they connect to the overall housing mission as well as photographs of the completed building. Share your success stories.
