At Washington University in St. Louis, MO, the Department of Computer Science & Engineering was recently renovated, and this included improving vertical circulation throughout the building. REMIGER DESIGN, a St. Louis-based planning, architecture, and interior design firm, worked with the university to renovate and reconfigure the interior of Harold D. Jolley Hall. The project was executed in collaboration with Directions in Design, William Tao & Associates, and construction manager, SM Wilson.
In addition to the university’s Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Jolley Hall is the home of the Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science. Both departments are part of the School of Engineering & Applied Science at Washington University. Originally dedicated in 1990, the building includes research laboratories, undergraduate teaching laboratories, and offices.
Jolley Hall is 52,000 square feet, and this renovation included approximately 30,000 square feet within the facility. The main functions of the renovated space are the Computer Science & Engineering Department suite, faculty offices, student areas, breakrooms/restrooms, computer labs/data closets, and conference rooms.
“It’s a privilege to work with my alma mater, Washington University. The design that we helped to create for this space is meant to encourage students to learn and succeed in an environment that reflects current work trends,” said Vern Remiger, president of REMIGER DESIGN. “We’re very proud of the work we’ve done on this project and our ongoing collaboration with the University.”
In its pre-renovation state, Jolley Hall lacked vertical connectivity between floors as it solely relied on one existing stairwell located towards the far east end of the building as well as one existing elevator. As such, the REMIGER DESIGN team proposed the design of a new five-story monumental stair to be located in the existing atrium and lobby area that is the entry node of the building. The stairwell improves vertical circulation from floor to floor and provides a sense of cohesion to the department.
An element of the stairwell design was the use of a continuous 1/2″ LED light fixture that traverses diagonally up and down the five-story wall immediately adjacent to the stair. The layout reflects the vertical movement that occurs as students and faculty travel the stairs.
Other distinctive elements to the project include a Haworth Enclose demountable partition system in work areas. This partition system features full glass with an applied frosted film for visual privacy. The frosted film pattern is in the form of binary code that spells out the name of the department when deciphered. This feature was included to give the department its own identity in a subtle, yet effective way.
REMIGER DESIGN is the architect of record on this renovation. William Tao & Associates provided engineering services, while Directions in Design and REMIGER DESIGN collaborated on the interior design of the project. SM Wilson served as construction manager on the project.
