Work Begins on Humanities and Social Studies Complex Site

Site also chosen this summer for new Admission/Financial Aid Center

Last spring, the Grinnell College Board of Trustees enthusiastically approved EYP Architecture & Engineering’s schematic design for the new Humanities and Social Studies Complex (HSSC). The trustees’ action propelled the project into the design development phase and set building site preparation in motion on the southeast corner of Eighth Avenue and Park Street.

Plans for the 196,000-square-foot complex include renovation and revitalization of Alumni Recitation Hall (ARH) and Carnegie Hall. When the complex is ready for occupancy in fall of 2020, it will include 40 classrooms, 145 faculty offices, team spaces, a redesigned auditorium, and social spaces such as the main atrium and coffee bar.

Classrooms with advanced technology will support the many kinds of pedagogy desired for an inquiry-based approach to learning and facilitate the faculty-student and student-student connections integral to a Grinnell education.

Sustainability and accessibility

The HSSC is being designed to take maximum advantage of natural seasonal light, and a portion of the roof will be a “green roof” that further impacts sustainability. Geothermal well fields will help meet sustainability goals that aim for a modest net change in energy demand given the large increase in building size. 

Key accessibility considerations include bridging of the floor-level differential between the ARH and Carnegie pavilions, placing and pairing of elevators and stairs in and across pavilions, and incorporation of wider halls. 

Admission/Financial Aid Center site chosen

The southwest corner of Eighth Avenue and Park Street, directly across from the new HSSC, was named this summer as the future site for Grinnell’s new Admission/Financial Aid Center. The site was determined after extensive evaluation of multiple sites by design firm Ayers Saint Gross, Inc., with input from a broad base of campus constituents. 

Share / Discuss