Old Main

Type: Restoration     |     Category: University

This project, from 1991, was an extensive renovation of the oldest building on the U of A campus, consisting of an historical restoration of the exterior and the interior.

The restoration of Old Main included preserving certain aspects of the historical building. The original columns in Giffels Auditorium were preserved in the renovation process. In order to preserve these columns while still conforming to building codes, they needed to be rendered non-structural. The north wing of the building was therefore completely reconstructed such that walls, instead of the columns, carry loads. The distinctive inset look of the windows of the modern Giffels auditorium is a result of this restructuring and reinforcement. The interior underwent a combination of historical and modern restoration and renovation.