Transforming Student Housing at Carleton University
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Introduction
Budget constraints, strict academic deadlines, twisty dorm corridors, and high-quality furniture don’t tend to mix. But when Carleton University realized it needed a way to revitalize its dorms without disruption, it knew it could get great furniture without compromising student safety or the ideal dorm experience. Why? Because of Carleton University’s long-standing relationship with Foliot Furniture. For this project, Foliot Furniture partnered with Carleton University to implement an innovative furniture replacement and donation approach, which aligned perfectly with the school’s vision for modern, sustainable student housing.
Key results:
Foliot Furniture delivered a significant upgrade in residence hall furnishings for Carleton University. Our team was happy to facilitate:
Space efficiency: The university’s newly installed beds offered twice as much storage compared to the previous design—significantly easing room cleaning and organization for students.
A (truly!) seamless transition: We expertly coordinated the removal of old beds and the installation of new ones on the same day.
Sustainability efforts: The beds we replaced were donated to a local charity—a decision in line with Carleton’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.
Why new dorm furniture?
Carleton University decided it was time for a dorm furniture refresh after collecting direct feedback from maintenance teams, staff, and students alike. With more adaptable, space-efficient, easy-to-clean dorm environments, everyone would win.
Of course, Carleton was looking for a trusted and experienced partner because the benefits the university required wouldn’t come easily. (This project would entail installing 675 beds and dressers.) Carleton followed the procurement protocols in place to find the best of the best. After Foliot Furniture established its competitive edge in quality and logistics, we began extensive research and prep work to ensure the dorm furniture installation was as seamless as possible.
The challenges at hand—and Foliot’s solutions
Carleton University’s furniture replacement was far from straightforward. Between the need for minimal disruption for students (who were actively residing in the accommodations!) coupled with challenge of removing the old furniture, there was a lot going on. Foliot Furniture meticulously planned the logistics—from mapping out furniture-moving routes through Carleton’s residential buildings to using protective materials to keep the furniture and buildings safe throughout the entire process.
Further, the team at Foliot Furniture ensured that Carleton University’s unique needs were met at every turn because this project wasn’t treated as one-size-fits-all from the beginning. Instead, from day one, Foliot’s specialized and focused project coordinators and installation teams created tailored plans for Carleton and partnered with the university to keep everyone in the know throughout the installation.
“Students and the cleaning staff love the new beds. They are so much more convenient: they offer twice as much storage and have allowed the cleaning operations to significantly reduce the time required to clean a room.”
- Laura Storey, ExecutiveDirector, Housing and Residence Life, Carleton University
Behind Every Successful Project is a Proven Process
See How We WorkCarleton University is now prepared to evolve alongside its students’ educational needs
By planning ahead, applying our technical expertise, and aligning our efforts with Carleton’s sustainability initiatives, we were able to deliver comfortable, aesthetically pleasing dorm room furniture (and assist with the donation of the older pieces) quickly and effectively.
The project kicked off in spring 2022, with phased installations to minimize disruption. Because of our careful planning, we created a cohesive aesthetic and functional environment—concluding with all pieces installed by the agreed-upon deadline.
Strategic product selection
The Foliot team recommended furniture for Carleton University that balanced cost-effectiveness with essential safety and durability requirements—beds with increased storage capacity and pieces that fit nicely and neatly into the precise specifications of Carleton’s dorm rooms. This allowed the students to maximize their space.
Special Considerations for Sustainability
Foliot Furniture is a supplier of North American-made furniture. This allowed us to support sustainability throughout this project in more ways than one. Because we weren’t shipping furniture from overseas to Ottawa, we reduced the carbon footprint associated with the project (and freight costs, too).
Thoughtful Installation and Logistics
By working closely with Carleton University’s staff, the Foliot team coordinated the complex logistics and precise timing required to swap old furnishings with new ones without disrupting student life.
After the installation, the overall upgrade for student life and dorm functionality was clear. The campus community immediately responded with enthusiastic feedback!
In addition to the boost in coziness, comfortability, and aesthetics, we were able to provide other benefits, including:
1. Much more storage space for students to use.
The newly installed furnishings doubled the storage available to the dorm residents, which was a vast improvement in space efficiency and general workflow. This also helped the cleaning staff simplify their maintenance routines.
2. A simple, effective way to keep old furnishings out of the landfill.
Although it was time for Carleton University to upgrade its furniture, many of its previous furnishings were still in good condition. We helped ensure these pieces got a second life and supported community needs by facilitating donations to a local charity.
3. Peace of mind throughout a potentially hectic process.
Anyone who has experienced a “moving day” knows that loading and unloading heavy furniture for a single residence is challenging. Carleton University needed to handle that challenge—and all the potential stress—at scale. Foliot Furniture’s proactive planning, on-site presence, and prioritization of a disruption-free process allowed the Carleton community to benefit from this upgrade without experiencing the chaos and confusion of a typical move.
4. Long-term support to make the investment last!
At Foliot Furniture, we consider every furniture purchase the start of a long-term partnership. For Carleton University (and all our clients), we were pleased to provide an industry-leading warranty and a replaceable parts program. With these services, we’ll be able to meet Carleton’s needs for safe and durable campus furnishings for up to the next 25 years.
