Case Western Reserve University, Olin Hall Renovation

Building Architecture- Large Scale (>10,000 sf)

Project Narrative

Previously a pass-through building with its back to the engineering quad, the Olin Building had little-to-no presence on Case Western Reserve University’s campus. A hidden side entry and an afterthought accessible ramp led into a pragmatic, dated interior that didn’t meet the needs of modern students and didn’t reflect the identity of the new Department of Computer & Data Sciences.

This project enlivens the original 1960s building through a significant re-conception of entry, public space, and vertical connectivity. Located on the edge of the recently renovated Case Quad, the building is given a completely reoriented main entry with an active public space that opens directly to the primary academic thoroughfare of campus. A sculpted wood and metal entry vestibule breaks from the repetitive geometry of the original structure, drawing students around the existing mature trees in front of the building, and into a new double-height lobby and student lounge. This light-filled and wood-clad space visually connects the new entry lobby to new computer engineering labs and collaboration spaces on two floors of the building, creating a hub of bustling activity.

New full-height glass walls, wood cladding, and custom graphics replace the original corridors of cold CMU block and ensure that this activity is on display to students both in the building and outside on the Quad. The addition of this new interior glazing drives light deep into the building footprint for the first time, creating comfortable and useful spaces for students and faculty throughout the building.

To create this new active ground floor, the renovation significantly re-distributed program throughout the building - placing energetic student spaces and busy labs near the new entry, while moving the quieter departmental offices to the upper floors. A total of 13,600 SF of space across three different floors was renovated within the original eight story building.

In addition to a new entry and public space, the project also sought to be a good steward to the original 1960s structure, extending its life for Case Western Reserve University in a sustainable manner and setting standards for future renovations of the remaining floors. The previously uninsulated exterior masonry walls were furred out with new R-30 continuous insulation, cutting thermal loads, reducing the size of mechanical equipment, and allowing for the use of more efficient radiant ceiling systems. Restrooms that were previously alternating genders on each floor were replaced with flexible non-gender restrooms that accommodate all users. Finally, the project worked to highlight portions of the existing building where possible - expressing the waffle slab within the computer labs, and salvaging, (or in some cases, uncovering) the original terrazzo flooring on the ground floor.