Auburn University
Broun Hall Addition & Renovation

The former design and layout of Broun Hall restricted student interaction with minimal common spaces, compartmentalized circulation zones, and limited access to daylight. The heavy, Brutalist exterior lacked identity and connection to the rest of campus and did not openly address the heavy student traffic coming off adjacent concourses. 

Terracing the site to the building addition allowed the sub-grade first level access to daylight and views while creating exterior lounge spaces and ADA access. The upper level, a glass box addition perched over the site, now serves as the direct connection from the Ginn Concourse via a gracious exterior stair spanning over the lower terraces.

Atriums extend daylight to the lower level and visually connect the lounge and study areas between both floors. In the interior hallway, a large skylight was carved out of the existing roof structure over the new atrium below. The newly exposed concrete beams acknowledge the intervention to the original structure.

Horizontal fire shutters and fire-rated glazing were used to navigate the limitations of code where transparency and visual communication were key design components. This included large sections of glazing inserted into the original brick corridor walls giving the classrooms and conference rooms access to light and a connection to public spaces.