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September 24, 2018
in
by John W

Dahlgren Chapel Renovation

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Georgetown University Washington, DC Award of Excellence in Historic Architecture, AIA Northern Virginia   For more than a century, the Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart has been a place of worship, reflection and celebration for Georgetown University. Surrounded on three sides by Georgetown’s oldest buildings to form Dahlgren Quadrangle, it is not only one of the campus’s most iconic structures but also a historic local landmark.   The chapel, constructed in 1893 in the style of 13th century English cathedrals, is the spiritual heart of the Georgetown community. In this sacred space, generations of students, faculty, staff and alumni have attended Mass, weddings, baptisms or simply stole a quiet moment of reflection. Therefore, preservation of its architectural character was a top priority. The University needed to update the space, but the renovated space still needed to feel like home.   This preservation project included renovation of the chapel interior and improvements to the exterior quadrangle. The interior...

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September 12, 2018
in
by John W

Kresge Auditorium and Pavilion

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Cate Student Center, Meredith College Raleigh, North Carolina   The Cate Student Center, had seen minimal updates since its construction in the early 1970s. GBR was engaged to explore options for a phased renovation and expansion. The first phase focused on updating the auditorium to provide a modern, fully accessible, multi-functional space.   When originally built, the auditorium included a moveable partition, allowing the room to be split in two. In order to maximize the amount of open interior space, this wall was removed along with a rear projection booth, storage room, and office space. This allowed for an additional row of seating as well as an informal gathering and pre-function area at the back of the room.  It also facilitated adding accessible spaces with companion seating at the rear and at the front of the auditorium. The space was made to be fully accessible by providing a new exterior entrance door at the rear...

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September 10, 2018
in
by John W

Miller Center of Public Affairs

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] University of Virginia Charlottesville, Virgina   Working closely with Miller Center staff, GBR Architects designed a multimedia archive and library for this nationally recognized government and public affairs center for the study of the American presidency at the University of Virginia. This library provides reading and research space for scholars; storage for a number of collections, including digital media, books, and audiotapes; and a full compliment of office space for staff and scholars. Multiple additions weave through and around the historic Faulkner House to complete the ensemble. GBR Architects designed warm, scholarly spaces that range from personal and shared offices to larger gathering areas, such as the reading room.   GBR Architects not only connected all floors together with clear and unobstructed paths but also integrated interior and exterior to better serve Miller center functions.  A new landscaped court spans between the two additions to welcomes scholars and visitors for expanded functions.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]...

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September 5, 2018
in
by sean

Spencer Center for Civic and Global Engagement

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Mary Baldwin University Staunton, Virginia   The Spencer Center for Civic and Global Engagement was in need of home that would give the newly created program a prominent visual presence on campus. The Center provides a resource to engage and challenge students to seek out service opportunities locally, nationally, and globally. The program also focuses on bringing students from diverse backgrounds into the Mary Baldwin community.   Strategically positioned at the center of campus along the primary campus pedestrian spine, the Center is named in honor of former president, Sam Spencer.  This student-focused facility occupies a storefront that was the former campus computer center. It leverages its location at a major crossroad of pathways used daily by students.  In response to this core campus location, the center is visually open to those passing by, revealing its intent on student engagement to all.  This transparent connection is the first glimpse of what the student will find...

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September 1, 2018
in
by sean

Pearce Science Center

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Mary Baldwin University Staunton, Virginia   Pearce Science Center had received only minor updates since its original construction in 1970. In the Campus Master Plan completed by GBR Architects, Pearce was noted to be generally adequate in size, but greatly in need of modernization to effectively support the sciences at Mary Baldwin. In order to provide an updated science facility, GBR began with a feasibility assessment to explore options for siting a replacement building and repurposing Pearce to house other academic programs. After consideration of multiple scenarios, it was decided that a phased renovation of Pearce would provide the most cost-effective solution.   The design strategy for the renovation leveraged the positive aspects of the original building by modernizing many existing functions in their current location.  At the same time, the plan transformed the character of the building into a modern collaborative learning environment. The imperatives for the project were to enhance opportunities for student...

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August 27, 2018
in
by John W

Mary Baldwin Master Plan

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Mary Baldwin University Staunton, Virginia   GBR Architects developed a campus master plan for Mary Baldwin University in support of a recently adopted strategic plan. The planning focused on their historic main campus in Staunton, Virginia that houses the Residential College for Women. GBR’s engagement began with a thorough assessment of the existing campus and its ability to support the university’s current and future program needs. GBR worked extensively with a broad variety of stakeholders and with the institution’s leadership team to establish a series of guiding principles that would inform future decision-making.   A significant challenge for the master plan was to stitch together existing fragmented campus districts into one cohesive environment. The most notable gap in the fabric was the link between the highly active historic campus and the rambling upper campus (a 35-acre former military academy). Over the years the two independent campuses had grown back-to-back. Despite the acquisition of the land...

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August 24, 2018
in
by sean

PEG Residence Hall

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Mary Baldwin University Staunton, Virginia   Mary Baldwin's Program for the Exceptionally Gifted (PEG) is for students who are on an accelerated educational path -- bypassing high school and entering college between the ages of 13 - 16. PEG Residence Hall was designed to provide on-campus housing to meet these students' unique needs.   This new building provides residential and common living space for 50 students and seven adults. Organized into small clusters, each with adult supervision, GBR Architects designed an environment to simulate a home away from home for these young women. The building, situated on a steep hillside, links the campus to the street level, providing multiple connections. A separate entry for traditional students provides more flexibility in occupancy. The building forms and finishes were designed to blend with the campus's signature vocabulary.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]...

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August 5, 2018
in
by John W

McGowan Academic Center

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Capitol Technical University Laurel, Maryland   Named for a pioneer in the telecommunications industry, the William G. McGowan Academic Center at Capitol Technical University was built specifically to house cutting-edge academic programs. The most notable being the Space Operations Institute, built in partnership with NASA, to prepare students for careers in the space industry.   GBR Architects’ design embodies the high-tech nature of the facility. A metal fabric curtain clads the exterior to shade the sun and reduce glare for the interior lobby and second level study area. The fabric screen is divided into four equal horizontal panels to reflect the college’s four decades of service.  The structural steel exoskeleton serves both as an expression of the technology inside and to allow free circulation along the main building spine.  The exoskeleton also reduced the interior volume, resulting in lower costs to construct and to maintain.   The building was sited to create a true campus around a...

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