When Troy Hall was constructed in 1921, it was used as a dairy building that housed the Washington State University (WSU) Creamery, Ferdinand’s Ice Cream Shoppe, and chemistry classes. After closing its doors in 2010, Troy Hall retired its cheese equipment and decided to focus on the chemistry. Roughly seven years later, Troy Hall reopened as the new home of the Department of Chemistry and School of the Environment.
The Perkins+Will-designed building added almost 15,000 sf of new space to the north of the building, bringing the total square footage of the four-story building up to 50,000. The new space is used for private and open offices and meeting spaces of various sizes.
Photo courtesy Perkins+Will.
An oversized, naturally lit staircase connects the new space with the rest of the 35,000-sf building. Collaborative and informal meeting spaces are located near the new stairwell on each floor. These new spaces are meant to form the new “academic heart” of Troy Hall. Teaching and research labs and flexible spaces that can be used for a variety of uses fill out the rest of the building.
Due to the historic nature of the building, Perkins+Will preserved as much of the historic character as possible. All four walls from the original 1920s façade and the terra cotta from the original entrance were deconstructed, restored, and relocated to the building’s new front door.
Photo courtesy Perkins+Will.
In addition to Perkins+Will, the design-build team also comprised Lydig Construction. The rest of the build team was composed of Parametric, Inc. (CE), Coughlin Porter Lundeen (SE), PAE Engineers (MEP), and Swift Company (landscape architect).
Photo courtesy of Perkins+Will.
Photo courtesy of Perkins+Will.
Photo: PC 70 Hutchison Studio Photographs of W.S.U.
Related Stories
Healthcare Facilities | Aug 8, 2017
Kansas’ only medical school receives new 171,000-sf building
The building was designed to enhance the medical campus’ existing facilities, curriculum, and classrooms.
Laboratories | Aug 3, 2017
Today’s university lab building by the numbers
A three-month study of science facilities conducted by Shepley Bulfinch reveals key findings related to space allocation, size, and cost.
Education Facilities | Aug 3, 2017
School of Communication and Media at Montclair State University merges faculty, professionals, and academic programs
CannonDesign designed the facility, which features a 197-seat presentation hall and various control rooms.
Wood | Jul 10, 2017
University of Idaho Arena plans to make timber a focal point
The project received a Wood Innovation Grant that will help spur construction of the Hastings + Chivetta-designed project.
University Buildings | Jun 29, 2017
Duke University’s new alumni and visitors center is a ‘modern adaptation of the campus’ architectural style’
The project will total about 47,000 sf of new construction and renovations.
University Buildings | Jun 21, 2017
Student residence hall in Lisbon takes biophilic design to the next level
The luxury student accommodations will be Collegiate’s first outside of the U.K.
Building Team Awards | Jun 7, 2017
Blurring the lines: University of Chicago North Residential Commons
Gold Award: The University of Chicago’s new Residential Commons is part campus, part community.
Higher Education | Jun 7, 2017
Building for the future: Five trends in higher education projects
Preparing students for life after graduation has become the primary motivator behind construction initiatives at U.S. colleges and universities.
University Buildings | May 5, 2017
'Escape forward': How one public university plans to grow
How can public institutions expect to survive and thrive in Illinois' turbulent environment? The answer, for one school anyways, is to think and act like entrepreneurs.
University Buildings | Apr 28, 2017
Suburban Chicago college breaks ground on aviation-themed student center
The design of the center is meant to pay tribute to the university’s heritage in aviation and aeronautics.
