Walsh Family Hall of Architecture

The Walsh Family Hall of Architecture is a building on the campus of the University of Notre Dame and houses of the Notre Dame School of Architecture. Construction started in 2016 and was completed in 2019. The school was previously hosted in Bond Hall. Designed by John Simpson, it is an example of New Classical architecture, for which the School of Architecture is well known for.[1] The complex features a Greek-architecture inspired Hall of Casts, a stoa, a tower and a courtyard. The building design won several awards for its design.

Walsh Family Hall of Architecture
The courtyard with the stoa, tower, and statue of Alberti
Map
General information
TypeAcademic
Architectural styleNew Classical Architecture
Town or cityNotre Dame, Indiana
CountryUnited States
Coordinates41°41′42″N 86°14′6″W / 41.69500°N 86.23500°W / 41.69500; -86.23500
Current tenantsNotre Dame School of Architecture
Construction started2016
Completed2019
OwnerUniversity of Notre Dame
Dimensions
Other dimensions100,000 square feet
Design and construction
Architect(s)John Simpson

History

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The front of the building, with the Hall of Casts

The school of architecture was previously hosted in Bond Hall. In 2013, a 27 million dollar donation from the Walsh family was announced for the construction of a bigger and newer hall.[2][3][4][5][6] Architect John Simpson was announced as the winner for a competitions to design the building in 2014.[7][8] Construction started on 31 October 2016 and was completed in January 2019.[9][7][10][11][12] The 110,000-square-foot building was designed by John Simpson and the Stantec group, with the structural engineering done by Thornton Tomasetti and built by the Walsh Group.[9] It was named after a $33 million donation by Matthew Walsh, a 1968 Notre Dame graduate and co-chairman of the Walsh Construction Group.[13][14][15][16][17] It was built in the southern side of campus, in the new fine arts district, close to the O'Neill Hall, the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, Charles B. Hayes Family Sculpture Park and the planned Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, and a future fine arts building.[18][16][19][20] It was dedicated on November 9th, 2018.[21] The additional space helped house the growing school, including providing space for two new graduate programs: historic preservation and real estate development.[16] The building was built with several energy-saving features and is on track to receive LEED Gold certification, and features natural light operable windows.[7][22][23]

It received the 2019 Acanthus Award of The Institute of Classical Architecture and Art for Institutional or Commercial Architecture[24][25] and the 2019 Distinguished Building Award from the American Institute of Architects Chicago.[22][26] A statue of Leon Battista Alberti was added in August 2019.[27]

Architecture

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The statue of Alberti and the tower

The architecture style of the building is New Classicism and New Urbanism, of which the Notre Dame School of Architecture itself is well known for and is one of the preeminent academic centers for, and for which it awards the Driehaus Architecture Prize.[28][12][1] The architect of the building is John Simpson, who is a major figure of New Classicism and has won himself the Driehaus Prize, and is inspired by the classical elements taught in the École des Beaux-Arts.[29][23][12][5] According to these principles, the building is spartan and durable in its construction materials to maximize functionality, durability, and economy, while having more elaborate and decorated styles in the main entrance, hall of casts, auditoriums and the library.[29] [30][9] Commissioning the building in this style was intended to provide a suitable space in line with the school's goals and a source of inspiration for students.[9][31][32]

The architectural composition of the building consists of multiple structures organized around a central court, resembling a traditional college quadrangle.[7][33][1] This arrangement includes north-facing studios housed in a two-story wing along the northern side, a library situated to the east, and an auditorium and exhibition galleries positioned along the primary circulation spine. The courtyard entrance is distinguished by an Ionic portico, and strategically located at the center is a tower designed to terminate views from the university's main entrance. Additionally, this central tower serves the practical function of facilitating access to the external amphitheater.[1] Within the building, the architectural studios are accommodated in a two-story wing along the northern perimeter, while the library occupies the eastern side. Simultaneously, the auditorium and exhibition galleries are strategically placed along the main circulation spine, which takes the form of a Greek stoa. [1]The entrance to the building is accentuated by an Ionic portico, and the central tower within the court is intentionally positioned to command attention from the university's main entrance and to streamline access to the external amphitheater.[34][9][5][30]

One of the main features of the building is the Hall of Casts, a monumental greek-temple like structure which acts as main entrance and houses the school's cast collection.[9][35][1] It is the most monumental building of the , and its ornamentation is in contrast with the more utilitarian feel of the adjacent studio hall.[5] The stoa serves as the central hub within the edifice, facilitating both routine informal collaboration and hosting special events. This grand hall is fashioned after the architectural principles of ancient Greek markets. Functioning as a classical portico or roofed colonnade, it interconnects key components such as design studios, the auditorium, library, exhibition hall, and faculty office suites.[32][17] The courtyard features a tower is a distinguishing feature reflecting the character of the building. The lantern is a reference to the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens and is a gesture to the classical origins.The tower is used to articulate the central court, creating a more public space alongside the stoa, open to Irish Green garden, with an amphitheater-like structure, which is used for events such as commencement ceremonies. A more private raised square under the tower serves as the stoa's outdoor counterpart in providing a gathering space for interaction and exchange of ideas.[5][33][12][1]

The courtyard of the building features a 14 ft sculpture of Leon Battista Alberti, architect and key feature of the Italian Renaissance, by Scottish sculptor Alexander Stoddart, the artist's tallest single figure.[36] Alberti's ideas of balance and harmony between the individual and the city are inspiration for the new urbanism philosophy taught at the school.[37][38]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Magazine, Traditional Building (2019-04-05). "Walsh Family Hall Dedicated as New Home of Notre Dame School of Architecture". Traditional Building. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  2. ^ "Evansville Courier and Press 28 Sep 2013, page 6". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  3. ^ "Notre Dame architecture school gets $27M boost". Journal & Courier. 28 September 2013. pp. B4.
  4. ^ Fosmoe, Margaret (Oct 25, 2017). "Notre Dame to receive $100 million gift". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  5. ^ a b c d e Aslet, Clive (2021). The Academy : celebrating the work of John Simpson at the Walsh Family Hall, University of Notre Dame, Indiana. Matthew Walsh, Joyce Walsh, Michael Lykoudis, Ian Griffey, Angelica Ketcham, Hallie Swenson. London. ISBN 978-1-9163554-2-2. OCLC 1187224652.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. ^ "Walsh Construction exec giving Notre Dame $27 million". Crain's Chicago Business. 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  7. ^ a b c d Kennedy, Mike (November 16, 2016). "Notre Dame breaks ground on new home for school of architecture". American School and University. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  8. ^ Report, South Bend Tribune. "Londoner to design ND architecture school". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Magazine, Traditional Building. "Walsh Family Hall Dedicated as New Home of Notre Dame School of Architecture". Traditional Building. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  10. ^ Tribune, Margaret Fosmoe South Bend. "Notre Dame unveils design for new School of Architecture building". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  11. ^ Candid. "Notre Dame Receives $27 Million for School of Architecture". Philanthropy News Digest (PND). Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  12. ^ a b c d Candid. "Notre Dame Receives $27 Million for School of Architecture". Philanthropy News Digest (PND). Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  13. ^ "Campus Notebook: St. Louis University faces cuts; new building for Notre Dame". National Catholic Reporter. 16 November 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  14. ^ "Education's Extensive Expansion - Indiana's Universities are Building". Building Indiana. 14 February 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  15. ^ "Walsh Family Hall: The New Home of Notre Dame's School of Architecture". Walsh Group. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
  16. ^ a b c "All in the Family". The Architect's Newspaper. 2013-10-08. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
  17. ^ a b "University of Notre Dame - Walsh Family Hall of Architecture". Stantec. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  18. ^ "Notre Dame Receives Lead Gift for New Art Museum". Philanthropy News Digest (PND). Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  19. ^ Candid. "Notre Dame Receives Lead Gift for New Art Museum". Philanthropy News Digest (PND). Retrieved 2021-04-24.
  20. ^ "A new museum will be a central piece within the University of Notre Dame's expanding arts district". Building Design + Construction. 2023-02-12. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  21. ^ Brown, Dennis. "Walsh Family Hall of Architecture to be dedicated Nov. 9". Notre Dame News. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  22. ^ a b "DEA: Distinguished Building Award University of Notre Dame Mathew and Joyce Walsh Family Hall". American Institute of Architects Chicago.
  23. ^ a b "College campus groundbreakings |". universitybusiness.com. 2016-12-28. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  24. ^ Magazine, Period Homes. "2019 Acanthus Awards". Period Homes. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  25. ^ "The 2019 Acanthus Awards". classicistchicago.org. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  26. ^ "Campus Notebook: St. Louis University faces cuts; new building for Notre Dame". National Catholic Reporter. 2018-11-16. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  27. ^ "Statue of Influential Architect Installed at Walsh Family Hall // School of Architecture // University of Notre Dame". School of Architecture. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  28. ^ "New Notre Dame School of Architecture building breaks ground". Archinect. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  29. ^ a b "Education's Extensive Expansion - Indiana's Universities are Building". Building Indiana. 14 February 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  30. ^ a b "The Matthew and Joyce Walsh Family Hall of Architecture – Univ. of Notre Dame, IN | Parrett Windows & Doors". Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  31. ^ Mills, Wes; Manager, Content. "Construction Begins on New Notre Dame Art Museum". Inside INdiana Business. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  32. ^ a b "University of Notre Dame - Matthew and Joyce Walsh Family Hall of Architecture". Education Snapshots. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  33. ^ a b "Commitment, Continuity, and Community: Architecture at Notre Dame, 1898 – present". The History Museum. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  34. ^ "Notre Dame breaks ground on new home for school of architecture". American School & University. 16 November 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  35. ^ "Notre Dame to Dedicate New Hall of Architecture". www.insideindianabusiness.com. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  36. ^ "From Paisley to Indiana: Scottish sculptor unveils epic new work for the University of Notre Dame". HeraldScotland. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  37. ^ "Statue of Influential Architect Installed at Walsh Family Hall // School of Architecture // University of Notre Dame". School of Architecture. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  38. ^ "From Paisley to Indiana: Scottish sculptor unveils epic new work for the University of Notre Dame". The Herald. 2019-02-25. Retrieved 2023-11-22.

Bibliography

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  • Aslet, Clive (2021). The Academy : celebrating the work of John Simpson at the Walsh Family Hall, University of Notre Dame, Indiana. Matthew Walsh, Joyce Walsh, Michael Lykoudis, Ian Griffey, Angelica Ketcham, Hallie Swenson. London. ISBN 1-9163554-2-0. OCLC 1187224652.
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