Building History

Louise Freer Hall was constructed as the Women’s Gym. It was in construction when the Great Depression happened which forced the closure of the south elevation prior to completion of the pool.   The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 2017 modifications change the building into the Department of Kinesiology, a world class department for body movement.  Brush Architects was retained to create a new opening within the 1930 ‘temporary wall’ to celebrate alternative access and movement into the historic building.

Preservation and Building Pathology Challenges

Previous accessible studies of the building proposed a modest entry.  As a celebrated new entry, the user preferred a more dramatic semicircular entry ramp with no stairs, so all users enter the building equally.  Brush Architects assembled a team of structural, civil, and mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection engineers for the design of an intricate modification to the historic building. Brush Architects provided the landscape design as well as full architectural services.  Brush Architects provided full HABS/ HIBS, HAER compliant documents for the modifications.  

Design Solution

Brush Architects worked with the University, User Department of Kinesiology, and the design team to develop numerous schemes that worked with the building geometry, the Oak Tree allee, and in coordination with large scale concurrent construction projects.  Construction is anticipated to be complete Spring 2018.