Something Old, Something New
A $10 million gift has transformed one of the most significant buildings at the College, preserving its distinctive architectural details and enhancing it for today’s students.
Capital Projects
We create campus environments to support our academic mission and to build community for our students, faculty, and staff. Campuses must evolve to sustain and advance their work as each generation’s needs evolve. The master plans we create and buildings we construct today will empower the current generation—and those that follow.
Images of Capital Projects
Take a tour through the recently renovated Johnson Memorial Building.
Transcript
Renovated: The Christian A. Johnson Memorial Building
The Centrality of the Arts
The Christian A. Johnson Memorial Building is one of the most architecturally significant buildings on Middlebury’s campus. It was designed by Jean Paul Carlhian of Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott, who called it one of the finest works of his career. Conceived in 1968 in the brutalist style, it is home to Architectural Studies and Studio Art, and is itself considered a work of art.
Philanthropy has enabled renovations: plaza, glass pavilion, new stairs and lobby-level elevator, flexible spaces, energy efficiency. The gift has also advanced planning for a new Middlebury museum that, joining with Johnson and Wright Theatre, will form a new arts quadrangle. “This speaks to the centrality of arts in the intellectual and emotional development of the College’s students,” said Julie Johnson Kidd ’67, “and indeed all humans.”
The Centrality of the Arts
The Christian A. Johnson Memorial Building is one of the most architecturally significant buildings on Middlebury’s campus. It was designed by Jean Paul Carlhian of Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott, who called it one of the finest works of his career. Conceived in 1968 in the brutalist style, it is home to Architectural Studies and Studio Art, and is itself considered a work of art.
Philanthropy has enabled renovations: plaza, glass pavilion, new stairs and lobby-level elevator, flexible spaces, energy efficiency. The gift has also advanced planning for a new Middlebury museum that, joining with Johnson and Wright Theatre, will form a new arts quadrangle. “This speaks to the centrality of arts in the intellectual and emotional development of the College’s students,” said Julie Johnson Kidd ’67, “and indeed all humans.”
From Munroe Hall to a residence under construction, campus continues to evolve.
Transcript
When Middlebury Builds … and Rebuilds
A campus is space and structures, but it’s Middlebury’s people, the human dimension, who make the institution.Our buildings exist to sustain and advance their work.
We create and renovate campus environments to support our academic mission…and build community for generations of students, faculty, and staff.
create | First-Year Residence Hall
Slated for completion in spring 2025, it will replace Battell Hall (a residence for 70 years) and be home to half of Middlebury’s first-year class.
Built along the northern edge of “Battell Beach,” a popular green space, its L-shaped layout will help articulate the outdoors on all sides.
Human scale, interpersonal connection, accessibility, and energy efficiency are prioritized while maximizing the use of the surrounding campus.
The building will meet LEED Gold certification for green construction, helping us meet our goal to convert to 100 percent renewable energy by 2028.
Made possible by a gift from the Endeavor Foundation at the request of Julie Johnson Kidd ’67.
renovate | Warner Hall
Warner Hall (built in 1901 for the College Centennial) is home to Mathematics and parts of the Economics and Luso-Hispanic Studies Departments.
It has undergone a complete interior and exterior restoration to update the spaces and bring the building up to modern accessibility standards.
It has a new elevator, new mechanical and fire protection systems, new windows and interior finishes, and classroom technology upgrades.
A new walkway has replaced stairs and a ramp so all may enter the building the same way, one example of Middlebury’s commitment to Universal Design.
[Credit: Ryan Bent]
renovate | Munroe Hall
Munroe Hall (erected 1941) is home to academic departments in the humanities and social sciences.
Renovations to the 70-year-old classroom and offices building were focused on improving accessibility and general safety standards while maintaining the historic appearance.
The front stairs were reconstructed and original woodwork was retained, but all other interior finishes were updated along with mechanical and electrical upgrades.
renovate | Dana Auditorium
The 270-seat auditorium is a favorite location for large lectures (College and public) and domestic and foreign film showings.
It is in Sunderland Language Center, built in 1965, the home of Middlebury’s Language Schools.
Renovations include improved seating, flooring, lighting, and video equipment as well as the addition of Universal Design access.
In our capital projects, as with all else at Middlebury, we’re “continuing to put the student experience front and center of all we do.” — President Laurie L. Patton
Philanthropy is the foundation of that essential work.
First-Year Residence Hall
To be completed 2025
Voith & Mactavish Architects
Warner Hall Renovation
Completed 2022
Smith Alvarez Sienkiewycz Architects
Munroe Hall Renovation
Completed 2021
Black River Design Architects
Dana Auditorium Renovation
Completed 2022
Smith Alvarez Sienkiewycz Architects
A campus is space and structures, but it’s Middlebury’s people, the human dimension, who make the institution.Our buildings exist to sustain and advance their work.
We create and renovate campus environments to support our academic mission…and build community for generations of students, faculty, and staff.
create | First-Year Residence Hall
Slated for completion in spring 2025, it will replace Battell Hall (a residence for 70 years) and be home to half of Middlebury’s first-year class.
Built along the northern edge of “Battell Beach,” a popular green space, its L-shaped layout will help articulate the outdoors on all sides.
Human scale, interpersonal connection, accessibility, and energy efficiency are prioritized while maximizing the use of the surrounding campus.
The building will meet LEED Gold certification for green construction, helping us meet our goal to convert to 100 percent renewable energy by 2028.
Made possible by a gift from the Endeavor Foundation at the request of Julie Johnson Kidd ’67.
renovate | Warner Hall
Warner Hall (built in 1901 for the College Centennial) is home to Mathematics and parts of the Economics and Luso-Hispanic Studies Departments.
It has undergone a complete interior and exterior restoration to update the spaces and bring the building up to modern accessibility standards.
It has a new elevator, new mechanical and fire protection systems, new windows and interior finishes, and classroom technology upgrades.
A new walkway has replaced stairs and a ramp so all may enter the building the same way, one example of Middlebury’s commitment to Universal Design.
[Credit: Ryan Bent]
renovate | Munroe Hall
Munroe Hall (erected 1941) is home to academic departments in the humanities and social sciences.
Renovations to the 70-year-old classroom and offices building were focused on improving accessibility and general safety standards while maintaining the historic appearance.
The front stairs were reconstructed and original woodwork was retained, but all other interior finishes were updated along with mechanical and electrical upgrades.
renovate | Dana Auditorium
The 270-seat auditorium is a favorite location for large lectures (College and public) and domestic and foreign film showings.
It is in Sunderland Language Center, built in 1965, the home of Middlebury’s Language Schools.
Renovations include improved seating, flooring, lighting, and video equipment as well as the addition of Universal Design access.
In our capital projects, as with all else at Middlebury, we’re “continuing to put the student experience front and center of all we do.” — President Laurie L. Patton
Philanthropy is the foundation of that essential work.
First-Year Residence Hall
To be completed 2025
Voith & Mactavish Architects
Warner Hall Renovation
Completed 2022
Smith Alvarez Sienkiewycz Architects
Munroe Hall Renovation
Completed 2021
Black River Design Architects
Dana Auditorium Renovation
Completed 2022
Smith Alvarez Sienkiewycz Architects
FUNDING PRIORITIES
Art Museum: Enable students to experience global cultures, histories, and heritages firsthand in a dedicated, leading-edge space. The new museum will help integrate art into the entire liberal arts and sciences curriculum in “the largest classroom on campus.” In design phase
Athletics Facilities: Improve athletics facilities, including renovations at the Snowbowl, to sustain athletic achievement and students’ fitness.
First-Year Residential Complex: Create a new living-and-learning environment for first-year students to replace Battell Hall. The complex will promote community building, belonging, and Middlebury’s goals for inclusion and understanding. Projected completion: spring 2025
Quantitative Learning Center: Transform our Quantitative Learning Center in McCardell Bicentennial Hall to become a dedicated tutoring space for students doing quantitative work in courses across the disciplines. In design phase
Christian A. Johnson Memorial Building: Renovate Middlebury’s home to the Departments of Architectural Studies and Studio Art to improve accessibility, energy efficiency, and functionality. Reopened fall 2023
Your Impact
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In Residence
A first-year residence hall will create community and connection for 298 students in a fully accessible, environmentally sustainable building.