3 minute read
A REJUVENATED CAMPUS
By Karen Alley
State-of-the-art-demonstration kitchens, glass-windowed lounges full of natural light and large-screen TVs are just a few of the exciting new features around Guilford College’s campus. “It’s really important for our students to have updated spaces for living, studying, learning and coming together as a community,” said Len Sippel, Vice President for Administration and Finance. “We found a need for more gathering places around campus, and it’s exciting to see how these restorations are making historic old buildings new and vibrant for our students.”
Binford Hall
Photo by Jenna Schad
Binford Hall
When Binford Hall was built in 1962, the new dorm was a class act with terrazzo flooring and marble in the bathrooms. Now, almost 60 years later, beautifully refurbished marble and terrazzo flooring are still star features in the restored building. After over a year of construction, students moved into Binford Hall in 2018 to enjoy updated bathrooms and dorm rooms, all freshly painted and furnished with new mattresses. In addition, the glass-walled Orangerie was built next door. “The Orangerie is a fantastic place for studying or having meetings,” said Henry Freeman ’22.
Milner Hall
Photo by Jenna Schad
Milner Hall
Like Binford Hall, Milner Hall was built in 1962 and has undergone a muchneeded restoration, with construction finishing up just in time for students to move in the fall of 2019. Walnut paneling, hidden for many years under drywall, has been uncovered and restored, along with terrazzo flooring similar to Binford Hall. One of the highlights of the Milner restoration is the lower level. “We put in a large demonstration kitchen, as well as large-screen TVs and a foosball table to create a gathering space for students,” Len said.
Rachel's Rose Cottage
Photo by Jenna Schad
Rachel's Rose Cottage
This year, one of the oldest buildings on campus found new life. Rachel’s Rose Cottage was built in 1903 to house the power plant for the campus. And while the building has seen many different uses over the years after the power plant expanded, its most recent transformation into a coffee shop and hangout is bringing new life to the building most recently known as the Hut. A fresh new whitewash brightens up the exterior, and inside has great gathering space. Grab a locally roasted coffee, tea, cupcake or snack and enjoy the music.
Founders Dining Hall
Photo by Jenna Schad
Founders Dining Hall
Gathering together to share a meal is an important part of community and renovations to Founders Dining Hall, completed in the fall of 2019, brought a new light to Guilford's central gathering space. The new facility is in the same building, but is a total renovation, adding stations and creating a space where people are excited to sit down and eat together. The nine stations include the traditional hot line, along with pizza, a chef’s station where foods are prepared in front of the students and the beloved vegan station to accommodate different preferences of the Guilford College community.
Hege-Cox Hall
Photo by Jenna Schad
Hege-Cox Hall
Arts have always played a large part in the life of Guilford College, and now the Art Department has a building worthy of the students and faculty’s time and talents. Hege-Cox Hall underwent a complete renovation, opening up with grand fanfare inthe fall of 2018. “We took what was a residence hall turned art building, and guttedit and created an entirely new space dedicated to art,” Len said. Two buildings thatshare an internal patio and outdoor teaching space provide plenty of space forstudents to work and create. Other additions include a new art gallery, fully equippedceramics and sculpture studios and senior art studios.
Women's Locker Rooms
Photo by Jenna Schad
Women's Locker Rooms
Building campus spirit means supporting the whole gamut of college life, from academic to the arts to athletics. With the recent renovations to the women’s locker rooms, each women’s sports team has its own space. “The renovation took the old racquetball courts, which were used as a dance studio and storage, and created a two-floor area with locker rooms on the first floor and a dance studio on the second floor,” Len said. “It’s a great design that allowed us to keep the dance studio and give every sport their own space, which helps immensely when recruiting athletes.”
