Add as a preferred source on Google

Princeton Theological Seminary Restores 1800s-Era Residence Hall

  • By Matt Jones
  • 10/19/22

Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, N.J., recently completed the restoration of the second-oldest residence hall on campus, according to a news release. The college partnered with Voith & Mactavish Architects LLP (VMA) to modernize Brown Hall, built in 1864. The work covered 46,500 square feet and included interior renovation and exterior rehabilitation, selective demolition, civil work, and landscaping, the news release reports.

The building’s new design exchanges the traditional dorm layout (double-occupancy rooms and communal hallway restrooms) for individual bedrooms featuring private bathrooms. Each floor has a lounge area for group study and socializing, featuring furniture made of wood salvaged from the restoration process. The first floor includes a central lounge area and a kitchenette. Additions also include new lighting fixtures, a new elevator, window blinds, and tiled bathroom floors, according to the news release.

Exterior renovations include a new portico on the north façade and an additional entrance to link the residence hall to the rest of campus, creating a central quad area. The roof now features removable dormers that allow easier access to updated MEP and fire-protection systems. The building has also been updated for accessibility, featuring new ramps with handrails leading to the main entrance.

Princeton Theological Seminary partnered with structural engineer Keast & Hood, MEP engineer Ewing Cole, civil engineer Van Note-Harvey Associates, landscape architect ML Baird & Co. and general contractor Irwin & Leighton.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Pittsburgh High School Upgrades Athletics Facilities’ Technology

    Plum Senior High School in Pittsburgh, Penn., recently partnered with South-Dakota-based Daktronics through the We’re All Mustangs Here Foundation to upgrade the technology in its athletics facilities, according to a news release. Daktronics designed, built, and installed new LED video displays and finished the project in time for the beginning of the 2025 high-school football season.

  • Florida SouthWestern State College, Skanska Partner for Humanities Hall Renovation

    Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) in Fort Myers, Fla., recently announced that it is partnering with construction firm Skanska to renovate the school’s Humanities Hall, according to a news release.

  • Creating Long-Term Sustainability on College Campuses Through Fair Student Housing

    The quality of student housing can have a significant impact on an individual’s college experience. Today’s higher education institutions face mounting challenges, including declining enrollment, low retention rates between the first and second years, and a rise in student mental health concerns. Thoughtfully designed living spaces can help address these issues by creating environments that promote both academic focus and personal well-being.

  • Empowering People Through Smart, Sustainable Campuses

    Sustainability is facing increasing scrutiny, with some questioning its costs and priorities. Yet for universities, it remains an essential driver of resilience, operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness. At the same time, there is a growing recognition that sustainable transformation is not just about reducing energy consumption and emissions to comply with tightening regulations ‒ it’s about creating vibrant, comfortable environments where people can thrive, innovate and connect. For university leadership, this is a complex balancing act, with rising energy costs and limited budgets only adding to the challenge.

Digital Edition