Good Hall, the most historic building on the campus of University of Indianapolis, housed several key administrative and departmental offices for the University’s Shaheen College of Arts and Sciences. While full of rich history, its dark, dull, and narrow corridors created a lack luster experience for today’s students and faculty. Even more troubling, it was making it difficult to convey the vibrancy of the learning and discovery that was happening inside the walls to prospective students and families that would tour through.
DELV knew that the space not only needed cosmetic modernization, such as lighting and finishes, but also an infusion of energy and collaboration. The design needed to accomplish this all without adding additional square footage. After understanding the various stakeholders’ programmatic needs and analyzing the existing floor plan, the design team carved out a centralized hub for students and visitors to gather. This new spatial organization allowed for casual connections beyond the classroom and a more inviting experience for prospective students. The new design replaced the expansive drywall surrounding the deans’ offices with glass store-front, keeping them visually connected to the hub and creating an open feel in a narrow space.