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