Market: Education

Historic Campus Context

These residences sit within the Crum Woods on Swarthmore College’s historic campus. Built in 1946, the buildings originally served as faculty housing. For more than 75 years, they supported daily campus life. Over time, limited updates left systems aging and layouts outdated.

As student housing needs increased, the college identified a new opportunity for these buildings. A campus housing renovation offered a way to reuse existing structures responsibly. The project required careful balance between preservation and modernization. The team approached the work with respect for both history and future use.

The college established a firm goal for student occupancy by fall 2025. That goal shaped design decisions and construction planning. Safety, comfort, and code compliance guided every phase of the project.

Scope of the Campus Housing Renovation

Warfel Construction led the campus housing renovation from November 2024 through June 2025. The team addressed both building upgrades and site improvements. Crews upgraded underground utilities to support long-term performance and reliability.

New paving and pedestrian pathways improved accessibility and campus circulation. Exterior repairs strengthened building envelopes and addressed years of weather exposure. The team modernized building systems to meet current standards. Each improvement focused on durability and long-term value.

The renovation team worked carefully within the wooded campus setting. Thoughtful sequencing minimized disruption to nearby academic areas. The work respected both the site and its surroundings.

Interior Transformation

Interior spaces required intentional redesign to support student living. Original layouts no longer met modern residential needs. Designers reconfigured floor plans to improve flow and usability. Updated layouts now support shared living and personal space.

New finishes brightened interiors and created welcoming environments. The team selected materials for durability and ease of maintenance. Modern fixtures improved comfort, lighting, and daily functionality. System upgrades enhanced efficiency and overall building performance.

Accessibility improvements were integrated throughout the interiors. The team met current standards while preserving historic character. The campus housing renovation successfully connected past design with present needs.

Project Completion and Impact

Strong coordination helped the team maintain steady progress. Clear communication supported collaboration across all trades. The project reached completion on schedule for the fall semester. Students gained additional on-campus housing without delays.

The completed campus housing renovation reflects thoughtful planning and skilled craftsmanship. These historic residences now support modern student life. The project strengthens the campus experience for future generations. It also highlights the value of reinvesting in existing campus buildings.

Purpose-Built for Early Learning

Built from the ground up, this educational child care center was developed for Kiddie Academy to support infants, toddlers, early preschool, preschool, and pre-kindergarten children. This design-build facility in Centerville, Pennsylvania, is an 11,329-square-foot space that was designed with the specific needs of early childhood education in mind—blending function, safety, and flexibility.

Collaborative Design-Build Delivery

Led by Rick Carter, Director of Virtual Design & Construction, Warfel’s team partnered closely with the franchisee to deliver a true one-stop solution. Our in-house VDC experts fully designed the building to meet Kiddie Academy’s brand and operational standards.

The completed facility features a full commercial kitchen, adaptable classroom layouts, and a versatile outdoor playground with a basketball court. Each classroom includes a consistent layout with restrooms, cubbies, cot closets, and direct access to the play area—ensuring efficiency and ease of use for staff and students alike.

Laying the Groundwork for Success

Early in planning, Warfel helped the client pivot from an unsuccessful lease opportunity to securing a greenfield site that better met their long-term needs. That proactive approach helped set the stage for a smooth, streamlined build.

Solving Challenges with Speed and Accountability

During excavation, the team uncovered unsuitable soils and buried debris, including remnants of a former structure. Later, sustained rainfall during roof installation led to moisture buildup and potential mold concerns. Warfel acted swiftly—sealing trusses, testing roof materials, and implementing thorough mitigation strategies to protect the building’s integrity and safety.

Delivering on Trust—Start to Finish

Warfel completed the Kiddie Academy project in approximately seven months. The result reflects our commitment to collaboration, transparency, and proactive problem-solving—even when faced with unforeseen challenges.

More than a successful build, this project represents a lasting partnership. It embodies Warfel’s Clients for Life mission and our dedication to delivering value-driven, full-service solutions in the education sector.

This expansion to the DV Friends campus significantly transformed the school’s entrance and improved its overall functionality, creating a more welcoming and efficient space for students, staff, and visitors. This project introduced key updates, including new front and rear entry vestibules, exterior ramps, and canopies that redefine the school’s main entrance. These upgrades not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the campus but also provide improved accessibility. Additionally, our team constructed a new two-story, 8,130-square-foot building, providing additional classrooms and expanded administrative space, allowing the school to meet the growing needs of its community. We completed approximately 1,975 SF of interior renovations focusing on the areas where the new addition seamlessly connects to the existing structure.

A standout feature of the project was relocating the school’s entryway to the point where DV Friends’ two buildings meet, creating a central reception area that all visitors will pass through—whether entering from the front or rear. This new design centralizes the building’s entry points and makes the school fully accessible for the first time in its history.

Construction began in April 2024, and our team leveraged extensive experience working in active school environments to ensure the safety of students and staff. We prioritized planning and careful coordination to minimize disruptions to the school’s daily activities. This included aligning our work with the school’s academic calendar, summer camps, and sporting events to ensure smooth operations throughout the project.

One of the challenges we successfully overcame was the tight timeline for completing renovations before students returned. Specifically, we had to complete the building and ramp connections in the existing hallway, along with essential MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) work, all within a three-month summer window. Despite this compressed schedule, our team delivered the project on time, meeting the school’s needs and expectations.

Over six months, the IHM Center for Innovation and Creativity at Bishop Shanahan High School was involved in transforming the existing Media Center, Computer Resource Lab, and part of the academic wing. The newly created spaces, featuring 12,400 sq ft of cutting-edge technology labs, modern presentation areas, and dynamic collaboration zones, are designed to enhance the school curriculum. These facilities will enable students to engage deeply with their studies and explore their passions in physics, engineering, mathematics, graphic design, robotics, and art.

A 28,000 SF expansion to the university’s existing fitness facility, the new Athletic Pavilion features a two-story atrium with a full-length glass curtain wall enveloping the space with natural light. The new space includes fitness and studio rooms, a stunning lobby with café and event space, dedicated locker rooms for intercollegiate teams, weight training rooms, and more. 17,000 SF of interior renovations were also completed throughout the existing facility, encompassing various fitness, office, and classroom areas. Our main objective during preconstruction was to help Cabrini determine what could feasibly be accomplished for their budget, and within their tight time constraints. In collaboration with WRT Design, we offered suggestions and provided solutions and alternatives regarding building structure and system options so that Cabrini could meet their program needs without compromising the unique design intent of the project.

Originally constructed in 1921 as the Alumni Memorial Library, this project included constructing a 4,200 SF addition on the front of the historic structure. This unusual addition features a magnificent, curved glass atrium housing a formal exhibition gallery and education spaces. Seven state-of-the-art, climate-controlled, and light-regulated open storage vitrines house over half of the museum’s collection. The terrace above the expansion incorporates a green roof and an outdoor sculpture garden. Interior renovations to the existing restrooms and basement were also included.

This project required swapping two spaces within the school and revitalizing areas for young learners. The Kelly Hall Middle School was previously the early learning educational space, which has now been renovated into the middle school classrooms and common space. The Early Learning School now occupies the old middle school. This project also renovated the school library to better suit their needs.

This project transformed a previously abandoned medical office into a thriving daycare facility for infant-age children through 12 years old. It included a complete floor plan demolition, framing of new walls, installation of new floors, light fixtures, flooring, paint, ceilings, and casework.

The Dining and Community Commons project is an ambitious, multi-phased addition and renovation to the existing Sharples Hall dining facility, at the heart of Swarthmore’s campus and vibrant Scott Arboretum. The centerpiece of the project is a 42,000 square foot mass timber dining addition, thoughtfully conceived to support Swarthmore’s mission to deliver a transformative learning experience founded in stewardship, innovation, inclusion, equity, and diversity.