Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)
Cornell University’s Balch Hall, built in 1927, is a women’s freshman residence hall, and serves as the gateway to Cornell’s North Campus. One of Cornell’s most historic and unique buildings, the four-story Gothic building provides its residents with immersive activities and educational programs designed to cultivate female leaders and innovators.
The newly renovated Balch Hall will be able to accommodate 450 beds, nearly doubling the original number of residents. The interior renovation will improve the student experience, providing more social and collaborative space throughout the building. The exterior restoration will focus on upgrades to deal with deferred maintenance issues, while maintaining the unique and historic character of the building. A deep energy retrofit, including envelope upgrades and new high efficiency systems, will facilitate temperature control and reduce overall energy use.
North Campus and Balch Hall will also see improvements to accessibility and site navigation, with the introduction of brand-new elevators and enhanced wayfinding for students.