Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Smith College: Cutter and Ziskind Houses

  • 02/01/16
Smith College: Cutter and Ziskind Houses

PHOTOS © PETER VANDERWARKER

The revitalization of the Cutter and Ziskind Houses has created a welcoming and desirable home on Smith College’s campus in Northampton, MA. Designed in the International Style by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the two residence halls are connected by a central courtyard, share a 300-seat dining hall and provide 168 beds for Smith students. When the design team of Perkins+Will was brought on to restore this midcentury modern building, the goals were clear: improve the building’s performance and access to daylight; create a welcoming, accessible interior environment; and respect the architectural history of the building.

The renovation strategy consisted of replacing the exterior envelope with appropriate insulation, high-performance glazing and energy-efficient systems while matching the color and tectonic language of the original metal panels and details. Efficient building systems and water-saving plumbing fixtures were installed throughout to improve the building’s performance and increase energy and water efficiency.

The interior renovation restored the midcentury heritage design through color palettes, carpet patterns and furnishings. The spatial configuration was respected but transformed into a more open and bright space. The most widely used spaces, the kitchen and game rooms, were brought up from the basement to the ground floor to create a welcoming environment for social interaction. To bring daylight deeper into the floor plate, some end-of-corridor bedrooms were transformed into lounges and a new multi-level skylight was introduced in front of the new elevators.

Students expressed a concern that the restoration should create an inclusive environment, socially and physically. Elevators were introduced to make each floor accessible, two entry ramps were integrated into the building’s concrete plinth to create an accessible public entrance for the dining hall, and all bedroom doors were widened for wheelchair accessibility.

The transformation of Cutter and Ziskind Houses has enhanced the community for the students living there in a sustainable, healthy environment built for the modern age.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Rhode Island Boarding School Completes Student Dorm Renovations

    St. George’s School in Middletown, R.I., recently announced the completion of a $26-million renovation project on Arden-Diman-Eccles Dormitory, according to a news release. The school partnered with Voith & Mactavish Architects (VMA) on the new space, which places a new focus on collaborative community spaces open to both boarding students and day students.

  • California K–12 District Finishes Renovations on Multi-Sport Stadium

    The Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) in Alameda, Calif., recently announced the completion of a renovation project on the Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School stadium, according to a news release. The district partnered with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) and Bothman Construction on the facility, and funding came from Bond Measure B.

  • University of Arizona Approves New Residence Hall

    The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved plans for a new residence hall at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., according to a news release. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2028 and have the capacity for more than 1,200 students, enforcing a new university expectation that all first-year students live on campus.

  • Illinois District Boosts Security at High-School Stadium

    Richmond-Burton Community High School in Richmond, Ill., recently announced that it has completed the redesigned entrance to its high school stadium with a new focus on school security and community engagement, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects and Engineers on the project as part of District #157’s year-long facilities master plan.