Innovative, collaborative, and vibrant; these are all words that come to mind when I think of the Community Commons. The addition of the Community Commons to the KO campus this year transformed the whole campus into a student-centered community.
The Community Commons is a student-centered building that not only embodies community but also shows how a thoughtfully designed space can immediately shape student life by providing spaces that invite leadership, collaboration, and creative thinking. It has truly changed the campus by adding a space that allows students to work while also feeling relaxed.
The Community Commons is Kingswood Oxford’s newest building that opened this past August for the 2025-26 school year. KO alumni and head architect Todd Andrews ’91 lead Centerbrook architects throughout the project. Prior to the renovations the building entailed a library with books that were rarely touched along with a lunch room that lacked the sense of community students now find in the Community Commons. The building was redesigned and now contains an inviting lunchroom, a relaxing atrium, a variety of focused study areas, and a library with books that students enjoy picking up.
Unlike last year when the lunchroom was filled with long, crowded tables, the room now features large circular tables for groups and small high top tables for two; encouraging both group discussions and one on one connections. The new lunchroom also transformed the layout of the food and seating areas. In the old building food was spread out across the lunch room creating chaos and congestion, there are now separate rooms for getting your food and eating, allowing for a more calm and collected atmosphere. Together these changes created a more relaxed and enjoyable dining experience.
Day in and day out, the new lunch room offers a warm and inviting space where the community gathers to eat, relax, and connect. Each time I walk into the lunchroom, the scent of fresh ingredients lingers in the air, already setting a welcoming tone. All the while, the new wood tables are brightened by the sun shining in from the floor to ceiling windows that make up the front walls of the cafeteria. Large circular ring lights hang from the ceiling casting a warm glow over tables where smiles are shared and memories are made.
Beyond the lunch room, the sense of community extends into the atrium. Last year the center space between the lunchroom and the library was nothing more than a narrow hallway containing tiled floors and walls with faded paint. It has now been transformed into a bright, inviting atrium with multiple community areas. Inside the space individual chairs arranged to create semicircles, benches with comfortable cushions indent the walls, and high top tables serve as both study and dining areas.
The atrium is more than just a space connecting the lunchroom to the library; it’s a welcoming space where community and individual freedom come together. Walking through the front atrium doors is an experience that everyone should have. As you pull on the silver handles of the wood framed glass doors you are hit with a sense of community that is like no other. With comfy chairs and tables that can be rearranged to fit different needs, students can create their own gathering areas, forming a balance between togetherness and independence. The attention to detail the space has is something that can only be seen from within. From a Wyvern carved into the sealing, to the gold KO shield that shines on the wall, these symbols not only show the immaculate attention to detail but bring KO spirit.
The old library was outdated, crowded with books, and offered no gathering spaces. The new library in the Community Commons is up to date, has books that students actually enjoy reading, and space for collaboration. A long wooden table with chairs provides a place for individual study, quiet cubbies provide space for discussion in pairs, and a variety of couches allows for small groups to converse.
The library is a welcoming area designed to fit the needs of each student in the KO community. Books that spark curiosity and creative thinking fill the shelves, while a decorative fireplace adds warmth to the atmosphere without even producing heat. Couches and small cubbies invite students to come in and get comfortable. With its combination of enticing books and inviting seating the library is not just to study but to feel at home.
The study rooms in the library and atrium encourage both creativity and productivity by providing small collaborative spaces. Large windows line the wall creating a sense of connection between the study rooms and the main area. These small rooms are filled with white tables and chairs that brighten the space. Whether it is working on group projects or studying for a quiz, it is common to see friends gather here to converse while staying on task. A wall sized white board allows students to openly express their ideas and organize their thoughts. All of these details make the study rooms a perfect place to be productive while working by oneself or in a group.
The large conference rooms in the library are an energetic space where leadership comes to life. Designed to accommodate larger groups, these rooms contain long rectangular tables and many chairs all on wheels, allowing for covenant rearrangement of the space. Large floor to ceiling windows line walls of the rooms allowing for a clear view of the turf field. In one of the rooms, the front of the room contains a podium displaying the school shield, placed in front of a retractable projector screen; perfect for displaying polished ideas. In the other room the front wall contains a large white board allowing for brainstorming and creation of ideas. Both rooms are completed with wooden doors and a carpeted floor, creating a professional and welcoming environment.
These conference rooms host exciting form meetings and spirited club gatherings where student leadership thrives. Student leaders use the space to guide discussions, lead their peers to a common goal, and inspire action. Filled with conversation, ideas, and leadership, the conference rooms play an essential role in making the commons a space centered around student leadership.
