PROJECT
interiors
Glass Railings Complement Collegiate Gothic Structure In with the new, but keeping much of the old, works for renovation at Princeton.
W
hen renovating a historic structure at the center of a prestigious university campus, one must make every effort to
ensure the traditional, Ivy-league feel remains intact, even while adding modern elements of architecture and design. This was the challenge presented by Princeton Univ.’s, Princeton, NJ, 20 Washington Road renovation. Built in 1929 as the Frick chemistry laboratory, the collegiate Gothic structure had been vacant since the department relocated in 2010. The renovated facility will house the university’s economics and international studies programs, centralizing those two academies that were previously scattered in multiple buildings across campus. The challenge was to add a modern look and feel (in-
terior and exterior) to one of the most prominent campus buildings clad in the same argylite stone, limestone-framed windows, and vaulted ceilings as the majority of the heritage campus buildings for which this and many other Ivy League schools are known. HISTORIC MEETS CONTEMPORARY
According to KPMB Architects, Toronto (kpmb.com), selected to lead the renovation, the design concept focused on “an extensive transformation of the interior into a light-filled, accessible learning environment with a coherent system of corridors and public spaces while preserving the historic character of the exterior and key primary interior spaces, particularly the entry and the second-floor library.” The facility also called for the creation of additional entrances to help bring the community together, hence the renovation of the existing atrium at the Washington Road entrance and a second atrium adjacent to Scudder Plaza, a focal point and causeway for the university campus. More than 3,300 ft. of Trex ornamental railing achieves a modern, vibrant feel while allowing the character of the building to shine through at Princeton Univ. Photo: Ricardo Barros (barros.com)
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COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE
MARCH 2018
commercialarchitecturemagazine.com
