Thomas Branch Building Renovation

Randolph-Macon College,
Ashland, Virginia

GLAVÉ & HOLMES ARCHITECTURE (G&HA) designed the renovation and expansion of the Thomas Branch Residence Hall, a three-story brick building built in the 1920s, in response to Randolph-Macon’s desire to combine existing accommodations for private residential life with new elements supporting student social and academic life. The interior of this building was adapted into new offices and seminar space on the first floor and new student residences, now known as the Brock Residence Hall, on the upper two floors. The Brock Residence Hall houses students participating in the Wellness Environment for Living and Learning (W.E.L.L.), one of the living and learning environments currently established on the campus.

An existing open courtyard, framed by the three wings of the building, was enclosed to create an atrium. This space accommodates the Higgins Academic Center, career counseling, and international studies. The original U-shaped building, which included a parking lot in the courtyard, was programmed to include essential space for the gathering of students, the interaction of staff members, and for formal receptions. Added features include an elevator, fire stairs, new bathrooms, new mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems, and computer connections to the campus network.