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March 2021 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \ 71 ty values. It was determined that every space, inside and out, shouldprovide studentswithanopportunity for learning. As a result, the term “classroom” was discarded in favor of “studio” as away to reinforce the desire for learning spaces comprising flexible, adaptable environments that support multiple types of activities. The studios feature access to the outdoors and are organized around common gathering spaces that also fill mul- tiple roles, including circulation and breakout group learning spaces. • Upper school. The Upper School North Building at Kent Denver (also certified LEED Platinum) opened its doors to 450 ninth-, 10th-, 11th- and 12th-graders in spring 2019. It includes theBruceMcGrathWelcomeCenter, where visitors are greeted and enticed by a photographic mural that celebrates key as- pects of theKent Denver experience. A fewsteps away, visitors enter a hallway that houses the AdmissionOffice, the start of a student’sKentDenver journey located to the right; and theCol- lege Counseling Office, the gateway to college and beyond, to the left. The view one sees when standing between those two offices is awide and spacious hallway, doorways tonumerous, large classrooms and several gathering areas. Together, these spaces provide teaching, learning and collaboration environ- ments that inspire students to ponder questions and pursue answers.Whiteboards fill entirewalls, breakout spacesencour- age collaboration and smart floor plans contribute to a flowof studious thoughts and ideas. • Dining hall. Kent Denver School recognized that its lunch program and the setting in which it’s provided are an import- ant component of a successful education. The SchadenDining Hall includes 8,000 sf of extensive renovation and 12,000 sf of new construction that both expanded the school’s school day dining capacity and provided flexible space to host a wide range of campus and community events. The glazed west façade has an expansive viewof the Front Range. When open, the doors provide natural airflow to all public spaces while allowing for expanded use of the west plaza and dining area. The plaza overlooks an orchard and garden that provide lo- cally grown produce for meals during the school year, as well as illustrating the food production cycle. In keeping with the school’s sustainability mindset, the orchid and garden are fer- tilizedwith compost fromfoodwaste. • Outdoor spaces. One of the consistent themes of Semple Brown’s work with Kent Denver has been to maximize oppor- tunities for outdoor learning. Eachproject has reachedbeyond the buildingwalls and into the landscape to create an integrat- ed series of outdoor classrooms, study areas and event patios – aswell asmore formal spaces such as anoutdoor theater, com- plete with a Juliet balcony. The designs take advantage of the varied topography, providing framed views, sheltered spaces andamenities suchas seatwalls that createa rangeof learning opportunities for students and the faculty to take advantage of. For instance, at the lower end of the campus’s elevation, trails and a boardwalk extend into the riparian wetlands, of- fering glimpses ofwildlife and awide range of flora and fauna. The collaborative relationship between Kent Denver and Semple Brown has provided the students of Kent Denver with a campus and buildings that not only provide spaces for learn- ing, but also foster learning through design.\\ David Lauer When open, the dining hall doors provide natural airflow to all public spaces while allowing for expanded use of the west plaza and dining area. The 500-seat Student Center for the Arts space can be divided into a smaller, less intimidating and more intimate space.