UNH Hood House

Client

University of New Hampshire

Year

2018

Location

Durham, NH

The original campus infirmary, repurposed

The University of New Hampshire sought to both modernize and restore the historic grace of Hood House, the original campus infirmary and formerly a prominent landmark along Main Street. Over time, and with stakeholder collaboration, the project grew from a light interior renovation to meet the needs of Academic Advising, Career Services, and Military and Veterans’ Services into a greater effort to realize the building’s potential as an asset to the university.

Hood House has become a sophisticated and welcoming building, necessarily visited by all students on campus at different points in their education. The new entry vestibule, integrated into the original neo-classical design details, provides both weather protection and fire separation. Small, individual restrooms were transformed into storage and kitchenettes for the various departments, while new accessible restrooms now serve the whole building. The original central stair was preserved and solariums were developed into modern conference rooms.

“I’ve found them to always be careful listeners, responding to widely varying needs and demands of different groups, while also bringing fresh ideas and suggestions that make people think a bit differently. Often this results in wonderful new design directions that exceed the original expectations.”

Doug Bencks, FAIA – University of New Hampshire,
University Architect & Director of Campus Planning