Bartlett Hall at the University of Chicago

Development Team
OWNER: The University of Chicago, Facility Services
OWNER: The University of Chicago, Residence Hall and Commons
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER: Pepper Construction Group, Chicago
ARCHITECT: Bruner/Cott & Associates Inc., Cambridge, Mass.
PROGRAM MANAGER: The Rise Group, Chicago
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: C.E. Anderson & Associates, Chicago
MECHANICAL ENGINEER: Bard, Rao & Athanas Consulting Engineers, Chicago
FOODSERVICE/KITCHEN PLANNER: Romano-Gatland, Woodstock, Ill.

The University of Chicago decided to transform the 64,300-sq.-ft. Bartlett Hall and addition into a student dining commons and collegiate hall.

The facility, built in 1901, had previously been used as an athletics department. It was originally conceived as the United States Olympic Team training facility for men.
The project had several challenges.

This included working with a gymnasium's features and a suspended running track scheduled for demolition because a previous engineering study deemed it structurally inadequate.

A two-story addition was to be created that would house a loading dock in a prominent location.

The entire structure was to be updated to meet code and accessibility requirements and incorporate modern, energy-efficient HVAC and mechanical systems in the existing limestone and masonry shell.

All windows were to be restored, many of which had been removed or in-filled with glass block.

And, the building was to be preserved at a level of detail, design and craftsmanship that will serve the university for a second century.

Becoming a Student Commons

Several solutions were conceived.

The infrastructure improvements were concealed and architectural interventions were seamlessly blended into the historic fabric of the building. Modern foodservice systems, exhaust hoods, MEP systems, three elevators and a two-story addition were incorporated into the building.

The dining hall is designed as a market concept that emphasizes fresh production and exhibition cooking.

Oak counters are designed to look like informally placed market tables and to allow future flexibility and reorganization of stations.

Saving the suspended running track was achieved by reducing the effective usable area. It now serves as an observation deck and lounge offering views of the dining hall below. It was fitted with waist-high millwork housing HVAC duct runs, reducing the live loads.

A two-story, steel- and limestone-clad receiving dock was designed in the Neo-Gothic style.

Interior and exterior improvements meet all codes. The basement floor was excavated and lowered nearly 30 ft. to accommodate 500 tons of HVAC equipment.
Replication of missing and damaged leaded glass windows combine low-emissivity, double-glazed glass with laminated lead caming.

The jury said, "Awesome! This is an outstanding candidate because of its complete solution. They changed the function and still maintained the look and feel of the original structure. They did a nice job highlighting sustainable design, which adds to the quality of the job. This is a remarkable project. They added a loading dock and made it look totally contextual. They took out 12 ft. of fill under the hall to put in a new mechanical system. Incredible!"

Return to Best of 2002 list