Period
1831
Hampden-Sydney College: Venable Hall
Location
Hampden Sydney, Virginia
HISTORIC LEGACY
Venable Hall at Hampden-Sydney College is a significant piece of American architectural history. Constructed between 1824 and 1831 by renowned masons Dabney Cosby and John Perry, the building has been continuously occupied as a dormitory for over 200 years. The masons, known for their work on Thomas Jefferson’s architectural projects, ensured that Venable Hall was built to last. Over the years, the building has undergone multiple renovations, with major updates in 1963 and 1987. Our project preserved and restored the building’s historic features while addressing the modern needs of a contemporary dormitory, ensuring Venable Hall remains a cherished part of the Hampden-Sydney College campus for centuries to come.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
This restoration project aimed to blend the building’s historic character with the functionality required by today’s students. The work involved preserving original architectural features, such as the heart pine wood floors and fireboxes, while modernizing the building with contemporary upgrades, including a new rear addition and enhanced mechanical systems. Following the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Rehabilitation, the project also received tax credits from the State of Virginia’s historic tax credit program.
RESEARCH & DOCUMENTATION
Venable Hall’s existing design presented several functional challenges. The two-story Parents & Friends Lounge split the building, creating circulation issues between the east and west wings. Some historic dorm rooms had been converted into bathrooms, the elevator served only two floors, and the building’s outdated HVAC system contributed to a musty environment. A careful analysis was conducted to identify ways to restore the building’s historic features while improving its functionality. The solution involved addressing these challenges through design changes that respect the building’s historical integrity while meeting the contemporary needs of the students.
DESIGN
The design vision for the project emphasized the restoration of Venable Hall’s historic features alongside the introduction of modern amenities. Vinyl flooring, added closets, and bland finishes were removed in favor of refinished original heart pine wood floors, historically accurate baseboards and chair rails, restored fireboxes with new mantels, and a historically based paint palette. The new rear addition was designed to complement the original structure, using materials and proportions that blend seamlessly with the building’s historic architecture while meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for differentiating a new addition from a historic building. This addition addressed issues such as the offset floor levels between the east and west wings and provided the space needed for modern upgrades, including larger bathrooms, a new elevator, and space for more efficient building systems.
REHABILITATION
The rehabilitation phase focused on re-establishing the building’s circulation and egress routes. The new rear addition resolved the division caused by the Parents & Friends Lounge, creating clear access between the east and west wings. Sloping walkways were introduced to bridge the offset floor lines, allowing students to navigate more easily. Additional egress pathways were added, including a second exit from the balcony in the Parents & Friends Lounge, which previously had only one exit.
RESTORATION
Restoration work concentrated on preserving and highlighting the building’s historic features. The heart pine wood floors were refinished, baseboards and chair rails were restored to their original design, and fireboxes were brought back to their original state with new mantels. A historically based paint palette was used throughout the building to reflect its 19th-century heritage. The central atrium was designed to showcase the restored rear façade, visually linking the old and new components of the building in a cohesive narrative. Modern upgrades, including individual room temperature controls and dimmable LED lighting, were added to provide students with a comfortable, functional living space while maintaining the building’s historic character.
Before
After
