Project type: Adaptive Reuse, Renovation, or Historic Preservation
Merit
Project name: Dartmouth Hall, at Dartmouth College
Project overview:
35,000sf; $27.5M
Full interior renovation and exterior restoration of 230 year old icon
70 faculty offices, 12 classrooms, humanities & writing center, galleries
LEED Gold Certified & geothermal ready
Samson Occom, a Mohegan preacher, argued that native peoples could accept new practices and remain themselves, citing the parable of the oft-repaired knife which remained the same knife no matter how many new blades or handles it had. This metaphor speaks to the challenge of this project: can a beloved place remain “the same” even as it undergoes change?
As the Client’s first building in its 250+ year history, Dartmouth Hall stands sentinel to its institutional evolution. After two fires and multiple major reconstructions, Dartmouth Hall’s recent renovation was its largest yet. While the exterior was faithfully restored, the interior experienced a total transformation that is fresh yet timeless. A new front terrace, elevator, and open stairs made the building accessible as never before. Classrooms were optimized and redistributed, promoting faculty-student interaction. Upper levels incorporated spaces for collaboration and sweeping views of campus. Galleries were introduced to highlight the histories of Dartmouth Hall and Dartmouth Women, including less-celebrated historical narratives and some hard truths.
A women-led campaign supported the renovations. Over 3,000 alumnae honored what the building meant to them and prepared it for the next generation. Dartmouth Hall is everlasting. With its new iteration, tradition is honored while the future is infused. It embodies its diverse histories for generations to come
Project location:Hanover, New Hampshire
Firm name:designLAB architects
Architect of Record:Sam Batchelor
Completion: 2022
Client:Dartmouth College
Jury comments:Handled with respect, elegance, warmth, and love, this high-performing historic renovation is a wonderful project that blends preservation, accessibility, sustainability, and inclusive storytelling. The interior is transformed and modernized without changing the exterior one bit, achieving first-time full accessibility in a 250-year-old building through thoughtful ADA upgrades. Deep community ownership, significant improvements to equity and environmental performance, strong conceptual framing, and a powerful integration of history and future identity make this an impressive and meaningful project.
Images/Photographer(s):Anton Grassl; Andrew Shea General Contractor:Engelberth Construction Civil Engineer:RFS Engineers Specifications:Kalin Associates Structural:RFS Engineers Mechanical:RFS Engineers Electrical:RFS Engineers Plumbing:RFS Engineers Acoustics:Cavanaugh Tocci Associates Audio Visual:Cavanaugh Tocci Associates Interiors:designLAB architects Landscaping:Stimson Studio Lighting:Available Light
