Dumas Hall Renovation
About the Project
The Dumas Hall building, originally serving as the university library, science building, and general classroom space, is situated along the eastern side of the center campus green, between the historic president’s house and chapel, and a row of porch-fronted two-story brick residence halls to the west.
The project initially called for the demolition of Dumas Hall and construction of a replacement building on the same site to house the Business School. However, after a thorough program-plan effort and forensic evaluation, it was determined that while most of the building’s systems and enclosure had failed, the concrete frame structure remained stable and valuable. By preserving the existing structure and rebuilding around it, the project saved significant funds and reduced construction duration by four months. This decision enabled the design of a durable, energy-efficient classroom building within the available budget.
The renovated building features a vented architectural umbrella in the envelope and attic to reduce external heat gain, along with a fully baffled, pressure-equalized brick veneer rain screen exterior wall system. The strategic renovation now accommodates both the undergraduate business program and other academic classes and meetings. A highlight of the project is the new cantilevered-porch conference room, which has become the most sought-after meeting space on campus.
Project Team
- Duvall Decker (Lead)
- Structural Engineering Associates, LLC
- Atherton Consulting Engineers, Inc.
- Jon D Rice & Associates, LLC
- Environmental Management Plus, Inc.
Awards
- 2015 AIA Mississippi Citation Award
- 2014 AIA Mississippi People’s Choice Award
- 2014 Design with Brick Merit Award