North Carolina A&T State University - Dudley Hall Historic Renovation

The challenge of extending the usefulness of a historic structure while enhancing its historical appeal is one that Heery has met at various times during its tenure with higher education clients and many others. The case of Dudley Hall, a registered historical landmark originally constructed in 1930, is no exception.

Formerly the house of the first President of North Carolina A&T State University, Dudley Hall also served as the colleges primary administrative and classroom building. Heery provided programming, design and engineering services for the restoration and renovation of the facility, which totals over 29,000 SF. Housed within Dudley Hall is the Mattye Reed African Heritage Center, the Taylor Art Gallery, and the universitys music and art departments. The Mattye Reed African Heritage Center, known in the 1960s as the Afro-House, is the southeasts largest repository of black art and artifacts.

Based on the results of extensive interviews with department chairs, Heery established priorities for the facilitys spatial needs. Among the universitys spatial requirements for the Taylor Art Gallery and Fine Arts Facility were classrooms for ceramics, painting and drawing and print making. Other necessities included a woodworking shop, recording studios, artifact storage and preparation areas and lecture and auditorium space for musicals, dance and theater productions.

The third and final phase of the renovation involved an entire second floor reconstruction.