flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

A 1920s cheese factory is now a university science building

University Buildings

A 1920s cheese factory is now a university science building

Almost 15,000 sf of space was added to the original, four-story building.


By David Malone, Associate Editor | October 10, 2017
Troy Hall's north facade

Photo courtesy of Perkins+Will

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.

 

Troy Hall's north entryPhoto 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.

 

Troy Hall's stairway atriumPhoto 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).

 

Troy Hall's stairway atriumPhoto courtesy of Perkins+Will.

 

Troy Hall's south facadePhoto courtesy of Perkins+Will.

 

Troy Hall in 1933Photo: PC 70 Hutchison Studio Photographs of W.S.U. 

 

Related Stories

University Buildings | Jun 9, 2016

Designing for interdisciplinary communication in university buildings

Bringing people together remains the main objective when designing academic projects. SRG Design Principal Kent Duffy encourages interaction and discovery with a variety of approaches. 

Building Team Awards | May 31, 2016

Gonzaga's new student center is a bustling social hub

Retail mall features, comfortable furniture, and floor-to-ceiling glass add vibrancy to the new John J. Hemmingson Center.

University Buildings | May 26, 2016

U. of Chicago approves Diller Scofidio + Renfro design for new campus building

With a two-story base and 165-foot tower, the Rubenstein Forum will have room for informal meetings, lectures, and other university events.

University Buildings | Apr 27, 2016

SmithGroupJJR’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Building named 2016 Lab of the Year

Sustainable features like chilled beams and solar screens help the University of Illinois research facility use 50% less energy than minimum building energy efficiency standards.

University Buildings | Apr 25, 2016

New University of Calgary research center features reconfigurable 'spine'

The heart of the Taylor Institute can be anything from a teaching lab to a 400-seat theater.  

University Buildings | Apr 13, 2016

Technology defines growth at Ringling College of Arts & Design

Named America's “most wired campus" in 2014, Ringling is adding a library, visual arts center, soundstage, and art museum.

University Buildings | Apr 13, 2016

5 ways universities use new buildings to stay competitive

From incubators to innovation centers, schools desire ‘iconic gateways’ that appeal to students, faculty, entrepreneurs, and the community.

University Buildings | Apr 4, 2016

3 key trends in student housing for Boston’s higher education community

The city wants to add 18,500 student residence beds by the year 2030. CannonDesign's Lynne Deninger identifies three strategies that will help schools maximize value over the next decade or so.

University Buildings | Mar 15, 2016

Behnisch Architekten designs Harvard’s proposed Science and Engineering Complex

The 497,000-sf building will be the home of the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

University Buildings | Mar 11, 2016

How architects can help community colleges promote community on campus

Even in the face of funding challenges and historic precedent, there are emerging examples of how partnership between two-year academic institutions and designers can further elevate community on campus. CannonDesign's Carisima Koenig has a few key examples.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021

Â