Howard Hall at Columbus State University

The most heavily used classroom building on Columbus State University’s main campus, Howard Hall is a 1950’s era two story concrete frame building at the heart of campus. Modified over the years to accommodate new ventilation systems and a café addition, most of the 24,000 SF facility was still unchanged in 2013 and in desperate need of upgrades and modernization. Working within the tight floor plan, very low ceiling clearances, a limited budget, and historic preservation constraints, the design team’s renovation has re-established the building as a student destination; a first step in fulfilling the campus master plan.

The design focuses on 21st century teaching technology, flexible classroom spaces, energy efficient building systems, improved accessibility, and new gathering spaces for collaborative study. The exposed concrete structure highlights the original construction while a new stone wall marks the primary access through campus and ties in with newer campus facilities.