Period
1968
Hampden-Sydney College: Whitehouse Quadrangle
Location
Hampden Sydney, Virginia
HISTORIC LEGACY
Whitehouse Quadrangle was designed in 1968 by Clark, Nexsen & Owen Architects. The neoclassical–inspired dormitory complex is composed in a “U” shape, with its four two–story pavilions connected by single–story dorm rooms.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Whitehouse has traditionally been one of the preferred dormitories on campus, with students appreciating direct access from their rooms to the exterior and relatively private bathrooms. However, the complex was showing its half century of use and disrepair, and the building systems had not been modernized. Students expressed concerns about strange access to toilet rooms in the pavilion buildings (through other students’ bedrooms!), inadequate lounge spaces, and too few electrical outlets. MCWB was asked to reimagine and refresh the Whitehouse dormitories while updating building systems to enhance student life.
RESEARCH & DOCUMENTATION
In 2022, MCWB completed the Residence Hall Master Plan for Hampden-Sydney College, a comprehensive study of each dormitory developed in close collaboration with the college’s administration and a team of consulting engineers. The plan outlined a strategic path for rehabilitating most of the campus’s dormitories, including the Whitehouse Quadrangle.
Since the completion of the Master Plan, eight of the assessed buildings have been rehabilitated. It was determined that Whitehouse Quadrangle is a contributing resource to the Hampden-Sydney College National Historic District, and that a rehabilitation project could qualify for Historic Tax Credits.
DESIGN
One of the College’s main goals was to maximize the presence of Lake Chalgrove, which the quad had metaphorically “turned its back on”. Our design concept took advantage of the natural grade of the site which pitched down to the lake and the deep original crawl spaces below the dorm rooms. This space was transformed into new bedrooms overlooking the lake, with a modern steel colonnade to reference the original brick arcade on the quad. The central pavilion was transformed into a primary common space, complete with laundry facilities, a lounge area, kitchen, and vending. A two-story porch at this pavilion was designed to take advantage of views overlooking the lake and to anchor the new colonnade.
REALIZATION
Additional exterior work on Whitehouse included repairs to existing windows and doors, masonry cleaning and restoration, roof repairs and replacement, and the installation of new sidewalks, pathways, and driveways. New heating and cooling systems were added that provide individual temperature control and fresh air to each of the dorm rooms. Bathrooms were renovated, new dimmable lighting, and all new furniture selected and procured for the dorm.
MCWB worked with the college throughout the Historic Tax Credit portion of the project, which successfully received credits through the Department of Historic Resources. The total project cost came in at about $13 million.
Before
After
