Campus Construction Highlights

Our campus is in the midst of a transformative period. Our community is laying the groundwork for spaces and infrastructure that will allow us to live into our mission to educate the whole person and steward our resources toward a more sustainable future. 

As you walk the grounds, you’ll see work underway that supports a variety of projects, from  To Zero By Thirty-Five, the College's energy plan and vision for realizing its goal of carbon neutrality by 2035, to the revitalization of facilities across campus. These exciting and necessary projects will have a wide-reaching and long-standing impact on our community. Explore the resources below to learn more about some of the most critical and innovative work happening at Swarthmore.

To Zero By Thirty-Five

To Zero By Thirty-Five is Swarthmore’s bold vision for realizing its goal of carbon neutrality by 2035 by moving the College away from fossil fuel combustion and toward greater use of renewable energy. Drilling of the geoexchange wells at the heart of campus is now complete, and for the remainder of 2026 we are reestablishing the lawns in front of Clothier Hall, McCabe Library, and the Dining and Community Commons.

Green Roof

  • Geoexchange Well Field Site Restoration

    This spring, we installed lateral piping and began restoring the organic lawn in front of Clothier Hall as well as the lawns in front of McCabe and the Dining and Community Commons. Given that establishing healthy grass is very weather-dependent, and that fall is the best turf growing season, we anticipate these sites will continue to be blocked off by low rope fencing through most of 2026. All ADA paths in the area will remain open, and the original path from Old Tarble to Magill Walk has now been restored.

    well field work on both sides of Magill walk

  • Moving Through Campus

    The area of campus south of the regional rail will have a lot of active construction this summer. The combination of work to connect area buildings to the geoexchange system, Ware Pool renovation, and some Athletics work will impose many access restrictions. To support this work, Field House Lane will be reduced to one lane of traffic in front of the Field  House from June 1 through the end of August 2026. This project will also close the parking spaces by the Field House.

    Athletics complex, Fieldhouse Lane

Black Cultural Center (Robinson House)

Work has begun on the second phase of renovations to Robinson House to modernize the building and make it more accessible. This summer, updates will be made to the interior, including: new lighting, restroom modifications, an upgrade to the HVAC system, and the elevator. Work is expected to be complete by early August so that BCC staff members can move in before the Fall 2026 semester begins. 

Black Cultural Center (Robinson House)

Wharton Hall

In summer 2026, we will complete the final phase of renovations for Wharton Hall, which includes work on the roof and dormers, window installation, and minor interior work. Work will be completed before students return to campus in mid-August, and all scaffolding will come down by September.

Wharton Hall