Selective Demolition
The third floor stage of Commons, before and after demolition and hazardous materials abatement. This renovation is a culmination of initiatives to preserve the embodied history of this building, and to realize Bennington College’s vision for progressive education.
^While notable artists such as Martha Graham and Bob Dylan performed here, the entire third floor has been inaccessible for decades due to code and accessibility concerns.
^For the historic cupola (shown above), our goal is to change as little as possible while rebuilding to survive another 100 years of weather.
^Underneath the cupola, removing the old plaster reveals structural steel beams. Fortunately, they are still in good shape.
^Looking out from the third floor stage, we see the backbones of the Commons clock. The pin-hole of light shining through the center illustrates very poor insulation. Adding thermal and water barriers throughout Commons will help us save energy, keep occupants comfy, and keep the building dry!
^Back in the day, classes were taught on the 3rd floor of Commons--by faculty like Paul Feeley and Gunnar Schonbeck. As part of this renovation, sixteen classrooms and learning spaces will be (re)introduced to the building.
^These murals were the creation of Manju Shandler ‘95 (with various other graffiti contributors over the years). The abatement of hazardous materials throughout the building necessitated that we remove the paint and wall materials from this space.
^For more info on Manju’s work, click here!
^The north face of Commons was traditionally thought of as the “back” side. Now that academic buildings like Dickinson, VAPA, and CAPA, have arrived to the north of campus, Commons now truly sits at the center of Bennington College.
^The north face of Commons will transform from a back-of-house entry into a welcoming front door. A multi-story glass addition featuring an academic lounge and classroom will be introduced, as well as a new terrace to the east for outdoor dining and ideal views.
^Hollow terracotta block and other structural features such as masonry archways are revealed throughout the building. Now that the former offices have moved to the new Student Health Center, this small wing (sandwiched between the 2nd and 3rd floor) will be converted into academic spaces.
^New vantage points of Crossett Library, Tishman Lecture Hall, Dickinson Science Building, The Barn (and its oak tree), and Noyes House.
^Stainless steel from the 2nd floor dining hall’s hot food line. The walls of the kitchen are marked for demolition.
^The same view, with kitchen demolition completed. The 2nd floor of Commons will continue to serve as a dining hall, but with accessibility from the north, east, and south sides.
^The “big room” or 70′s addition to the dining hall will become one of the main kitchen locations in the new Commons building.
^With paintings safely stored, this wall will ultimately be fully removed, connecting the 70′s addition to the location which recently housed the kitchen.
^The “Red Room” of the dining hall (my personal favorite), after paint and drywall is stripped from walls. These walls have since been completely removed, but will be rebuilt as shown in the floor plan below.
^A floor plan of the 2nd level, including multiple kitchen stations, outdoor seating, and even a few classrooms to the north. One goal for this design was to create more room for seating and a more open arrangement while remaining within the original footprint of the building.
^Another historic feature set to remain is the Commons Lounge. These two staircases on either side will be southern points of access which lead to the Dining Hall and 3rd floor. A passenger elevator will be installed on the north side to ensure accessibility throughout the building.
^While the Commons Lounge will stay, the two spaces on each side of it will have new uses. The area that previously served as the Post Office will become a new Cafe/Bakery, while the space previously occupied by Health Services will be the new home for the Bookstore, .
^Clock, porch, cupola, and windows will all be refurbished to maintain the integrity and longevity of Commons’ iconic south facade. In addition, the terrace will be augmented to offer more outdoor seating and improved landscape features. Can’t wait to start seeing everything put back together again! This project is moving forward at an accelerated rate, so stay tuned for more updates. If you have any questions, please reach out to (me!) Dane Whitman, the Kilpatrick Fellow for Buildings and Grounds at [email protected]. Happy Winter!
