Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA
The 1833 Presidents House is Dickinson College’s most historic and prominent buildings was transformed into a contemporary new Alumni and Family Center. The design program had to create a campus rallying place for connections to be made across the entire Dickinson Community. The college wanted modern elements interjected into the former Presidents House while maintaining its elegant historical character. The new 11,300 gsf Center’s contemporary gathering spaces required flexibility for multiple usages for gathering areas, offices and conference suites, which were equipped with advanced interactive technology. The five guest rooms were renovated with en suite bathrooms to provide an elegant “bed and breakfast experience” for college guests. Additionally, the kitchen and HVAC systems required upgrades to support the new functions.
The original single story-villa was changed with multiple-storied additions over the last 130 years. The building also was not ADA compliant nor energy efficient. Introducing access for all visitors to enter this very public facility by utilizing the main entrance was the intrinsic challenge of this project. The entrance topography was elevated to allow an elegant 30-foot by 5-foot curved poured-in-place concrete ramp to blend in seamlessly into the front façade. It cantilevers off three stone piers and the design intent was to have it visually “float” in front of the building while maintaining the legacy tree within the ramps center. A modern LED illuminated railing system was chosen to juxtapose the historic facade and is as timeless as the building. An elevator was also installed, connecting the lower to the second floors and the introduction of an accessible guestroom suite.
Selective demolition revealed that the original floor joists had been cut back so significantly that they virtually were hanging from the flooring system above. Steel framing was creatively introduced which allowed new ceilings to be reinstalled back at the original height to maintain the building’s scale with the exception of the dining room. When the second floor was added, the floor structure was significantly undersized, and a new sprinkler system was also required to meet code requirements. A coffered ceiling in the main floor dining room was designed to conceal a chase way for the new sprinkler system and electrical services plus providing significant structural support for the second floor.
The interiors were restored to conditions similar to the original while improving their functionality. The grand staircase was restored to its original grandeur. All the pickets were removed, and longer replicas were installed to meet code requirements. The carpeting was removed from the risers which were then carefully refurbished to their documented original wooden condition. The great room was returned to its original beauty while interjecting modern lighting, finishes and integrated technology. It is now used for meetings, classes, lectures, recruiting, alumni development, donor recognition, and other college events.
The center has been bursting with energy since its on-time Ribbon Cutting on Friday, May 3, 2024. All the living, learning and meeting suites have been booked throughout the summer. The new centralized facility is now a permanent alumni venue hosting campus & community events for career-building and student-alumni networking, lectures, social events, lifelong learning programs and fireside chats with faculty, administration, and national leaders. This previously un-used facility is now a source of inspiration for Dickinson’s education, and civic involvement while strengthening bonds between alumni, students, and staff, providing a vital link between the college’s past and its future.
Photography by Mike Mihalo Photography
Awards:
2023 Best of Architecture, The Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal
2024 Top Project Award, Central Penn Business Journal
