With the team of administrators, facilities personnel and contractors working hard this summer, progress on the Trianon renovations is on pace for the start of the school year. Students and families will get to take a sneak peek of the renovations at the Back-to-School Ice Cream Social (Update posted: July, 28, 2008)

Trianon Update Presentations:

On March 19 and March 20 the school hosted several presentations to share the progress of plans for moving the Middle School into the Trianon building. The Senger Design Group showcased several conceptual drawings of spaces as well as sample color palettes and materials. The Senger Group is meeting collaboratively with the facilities crew and the Middle School teachers who will use the classroom spaces to develop the next wave of designs. Common spaces are being prepped for construction and full-blown classroom renovations will take place during the summer months.

Conceptual Drawings Presented:

Plans to Install Lockers in Garden Level Rotunda (View from Above)
Lockers (View thru Arch)
Garden Level Bathroom Remodel

Trianon Update for Middle School Move: Senger Design Group to Recommend Upgrades

The Senger Design Group has been hired to recommend design elements and major purchases for upcoming changes in the Trianon. Principal, Cindy Senger has performed similar work with many institutions, which include hospitals, schools, and historic buildings. In addition to keeping an eye on color, lighting, fixtures, and “room repurposing”, the Senger Group will be sure that we meet or exceed all fire, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), and historic requirements. We have established a spot on our website so CSS families can keep up-to-date on work in the Trianon. Also, we have planned four presentations during which designer Cindy Senger, Dr. Hemenway, and I will be available. The presentations are tentatively set at 8:15 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on March 19, and again on March 20. All are invited.

Certainly, movement is underway to give the Middle School its own building and unique identity in the Trianon. Furthermore, this move will allow the Middle School to have a useful common space (The Claremont Room) and a dedicated technology center that it doesn’t currently have. Finally, the move will allow us to have three sections per grade, rather than two; this will reduce the average class size for many subjects. We are excited to move forward toward these goals and a more updated Trianon! (Head of School Letter, February 28, 2008)

Progress on Trianon Window Restoration in the Library

Woodworker works on Trianon WindowWoodworkers have dilgently been restoring the frames around one of the historic windows in the Library. Extensive research into costs, labor and craftsmanship has yielded a strategy to replace windows as dedicated dollars are secured. The cost of renovating each standard window will be approximatley $8-10,000 per window. Arched windows will cost approximatley $12-13,000 per window for renovations. The new glass will be double-paned low-e glass which will also reduce heating costs and decrease our "carbon footprint."

Trianon Update: Preparing for the Middle School

Some capital improvement funds earmarked for the building and the academic program, as well as a couple generous contributions, has defined a budget for work that we will accomplish before August 1. We have prioritized a wish list of projects that represent the first wave of improvements to the building. Those projects include the installation of lockers for each student, a technology center, a learning center for tutorials, a new bathroom, science classrooms, and some upgrades in other classroom and common spaces. (Head of School Letter, January 19, 2008)

Location of Middle School and Upper School

Starting next fall, the El Pomar Academic Center will house the Upper School exclusively, and the Middle School will have its own home in The Trianon, along with the administrative offices. This separation will give each of these two divisions their own, unique identity and comfortably accommodate the number of students we see for those two divisions. Currently, the Middle School has seven rooms in El Pomar. In The Trianon, the Middle School would have nine classrooms, and each of those two divisions would have their own media/technology center-which is critical as we consider how to prepare our students for the future of technology. Not only does this step allow us to accommodate the demand, but also it provides a much stronger identity and learning environment for students in both of these divisions. (Head of School Letter, November 15, 2007)

Restoration of Trianon Windows

Through a generous grant from the Inasmuch Foundation, we are beginning renovation of the Trianon windows. The project will vastly improve and update the appearance of the Trianon, and also help reduce the cost of energy by reducing the heat lost through the windows. The grant allows us to be good stewards of this historic treasure and our environment while not side-tracking resources dedicated to educating our students. In the coming months, we will continue to raise funds for the Trianon’s restoration. (Head of School Letter, October 2, 2007)