New North Wing Addition to Architecture Hall Being Built

As part of a multi-phased construction project, the College of Architecture will add a new north wing addition to West Architecture Hall that replaces the old “Library Stacks,” a 1957 addition, which was demolished in late fall of 2022. This new addition, part of phase two, will add 14 new studios with a completion date scheduled for fall 2024. The new facility was designed by HDR Inc. and NADAAA Inc. and being built with Timberlyne’s Douglas Fir, Cross-Laminated Timber, complimented with an exterior Kalwall envelope, all implemented by Whiting-Turner Construction.

Other phase two changes include the remodel of eight student studios, additional student collaboration areas, classrooms, a materials library, a spray booth, maker spaces and more faculty offices. 

Phase one, which was completed in the fall of 2022, entailed moving the Architecture Hall Library from the north wing of Architecture Hall East and relocating it to the first floor of Architecture Hall West providing ground floor access for the newly remodeled library. All three floors of Architecture Hall East’s north wing, where the library once stood, are now renovated to 11 new studios.

Phase one of this project was implemented by Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, the Whiting -Turner Contracting Company and Nebraska University Facilities, Planning and Capital Programs, while the phase two design firm was awarded to HDR Inc.

The last time the College of Architecture underwent a major remodel or construction project was in 1987 with the creation of the glass atrium Link building which connected two existing buildings: Architecture Hall East and Architecture Hall West.

The College of Architecture complex houses two of the oldest buildings at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. According to historicbuildings.unl.edu, Architecture Hall East was put into service in 1895 as the old UNL Library and is the oldest building in the UNL system. This building was also placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Special accommodations are being made to ensure the building’s historical integrity. Architecture Hall West, the old Law College, was built in 1912. Architecture Hall West is the fifth oldest building on UNL’s city campus.