Arizona State University Durham Hall Renovation

The multi-phase renovation of Durham Hall on Arizona State University’s Tempe Campus embodies a holistic approach. The project has revived a major campus gateway and links the modern and historic districts of campus. The renovation adds value by establishing a dialogue with the urban and campus context and serves as a critical asset for the campus community by transforming the experience of ten thousand students interacting with it daily. New aligned entries become a campus link for students, increasing equitable access and establishing a public presence, while also intersecting with cross-programmed social spaces that foster community.

In addition to addressing the building’s physical and visual campus connections, the program and design adds spaces for collaboration and learning and improves access and resources. Once a maze of dark double-loaded corridors, the building is transformed to promote student success and engagement by increasing usable circulation space outside of classrooms for informal breakouts. Group study, practice, and meeting spaces that would typically be enclosed in suites are broken out as shared resources, grouped in central public spaces for equitable access and efficient use. The interior layout is flexible and resilient to further change and adapt in its new role as an enterprise asset.

Design strategies were multifaceted to address environmental, economic, and social values. Operational impacts are reduced through high performance design. Preserving the building, instead of tearing it down, gives it a new life with a sustainable approach, including maintaining 73% of the existing building envelope and structural system to preserve embodied carbon in place. The new envelope design was tasked with grafting together the existing building and its prominent campus gateway location. Through limited and efficient materials, and simple moves with dynamic impact, the new design responds to the historic context and allows for modern detailing and high-performing wall assemblies.