Project Description

The Renaissance Hall Addition project was assigned in the second semester of third year of architecture school. A unique project that required each designer to create a solution that would form a bridge between past and present. The task was to design an addition for Renaissance Hall, one of the original historical buildings in downtown Fargo with the current use as North Dakota State University’s School of Architecture. The 100-year-old heavy timber and masonry building is located next to the railroad tracks where it once acted as a farm implement warehouse and dealership. Designers were set to the task to utilize steel for the next addition to the classic building. The project came with a twist in the form of movement. An element of the addition had to move.

NDSU’s Renaissance Hall is considered the rebirth of downtown Fargo, ND. Long ago the building included a skinny three-story building attached to the south facade. The old buildings’ ghost is still imprinted in the existing bricks of Renaissance Hall to this day. While the once existing building is no longer around this design looks to bridge between the past and present. The school of architecture is in dire need of additional flex space for students to utilize and benefit from. The two-story design features higher ceiling heights for possible exhibitions and events. With inspiration from the historic Fargo Glass & Paint Co., the building features a similar width and depth. To bridge history, add a modern design twist, and better integrate itself with Renaissance Hall the second floor is rotated 90 degrees to the east. By rotating the second story, more space could be added underneath while the ghost of the past building is still presented along side a green roof accessible from the second story.

The Modern Renaissance Renewal Bridge, a modern addition to Renaissances’ legacy, adds additional open flex space needed by students and staff with movable partition walls stored neatly within the space. A small cafe was incorporated along with additional space for study tables placed close to the entrance on ground level. While boasting a movable aspect of the design, the movable glass cube integrates itself into the site with an in-ground track system allowing it to be re positioned for use in special exhibitions or additional flex space. The cube provides a way of expanding the building and the site.