Founded in 1789, Georgetown University is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit institution of higher learning in the United States. The school’s mission is to build a community in which students can develop physically, emotionally, intellectually, morally, and spiritually. The University provides on campus housing, programs, and services to support students and enrich their learning at Georgetown.
Nestled within the historic quad of campus and overlooking the Potomac River, the 48,000-sf Ryan and Isaac Hawkins Halls were originally constructed c.1833 and c.1904, have a lasting significance on Georgetown’s campus.
By 2004, the buildings were abandoned, when a new housing facility for the formerly occupying Jesuits was constructed. The historic vacant buildings resulting in neglect, water infiltration, mold growth, hazardous conditions, and significant levels of deterioration.
After 10 years of abandonment, the former Jesuit residence needed stabilization, preserving, and complete interior adaptive reuse of the decaying academic halls.
The design team developed plans for unique housing options of semi-suites and apartments with lofted spaces, laundry, lounges, and study rooms, as well other gathering spaces including a new outdoor space and large community spaces.
The team was tasked with significant challenges of preserving the historic structures while completely modernizing them for current building codes and living standards.
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Founded in 1789, Georgetown University is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit institution of higher learning in the United States. The school’s mission is to build a community in which students can develop physically, emotionally, intellectually, morally, and spiritually. The University provides on campus housing, programs, and services to support students and enrich their learning at Georgetown.
Nestled within the historic quad of campus and overlooking the Potomac River, the 48,000-sf Ryan and Isaac Hawkins Halls were originally constructed c.1833 and c.1904, have a lasting significance on Georgetown’s campus.
By 2004, the buildings were abandoned, when a new housing facility for the formerly occupying Jesuits was constructed. The historic vacant buildings resulting in neglect, water infiltration, mold growth, hazardous conditions, and significant levels of deterioration.
After 10 years of abandonment, the former Jesuit residence needed stabilization, preserving, and complete interior adaptive reuse of the decaying academic halls.
The design team developed plans for unique housing options of semi-suites and apartments with lofted spaces, laundry, lounges, and study rooms, as well other gathering spaces including a new outdoor space and large community spaces.
The team was tasked with significant challenges of preserving the historic structures while completely modernizing them for current building codes and living standards.
Keast & Hood provided a comprehensive structural condition assessment and survey of the vacant deteriorating building structures. Visual and nondestructive methods, involving resistance drilling, were used to investigate and determine the condition of the structural system.
The extensive renovation and adaptive reuse required installation of a new elevator and mechanical systems, selective floor reinforcing to support new sleeping lofts, and modifications of floor framing to create new ramps. Additional renovations include alterations to full story steel trusses, creating new stair openings throughout the building structures, and underpinning shallow foundations to lower the basements slab.
Preserving some of the original building features, such as the column capitals in the great hall, required attentive team coordination. The new sprinklers and plumbing were carefully coordinated with the existing structure and allowable penetration locations to fit it a shallow depth and keep the new ceiling above the capitals.
The project was designed to allow the construction to proceed while school was in session. Project was completed on a fast-track schedule with construction beginning in May 2014 and completion for occupancy in Summer 2015.
The new student housing provides unique housing opportunities for upper-class residents in a close knit, distinctive and engaging residential experience. The new student housing enhancing the student life experience on campus by creating and sustaining an environment for community and information learning.
CLIENT: Ayers Saint Gross
LOCATION: Washington, DC
TYPE: Academic, Historic, Residential, SERVICES: Adaptive Reuse, Condition Assessment, Historic Preservation, Renovation, Restoration, MATERIALS: SUSTAINABILITY: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
