Bowdoin College - Sills Hall

An Overhaul of Sills Hall

Constructed in 1950, Sills Hall was in need of renovation. The existing building was not accessible, lacked air conditioning, and lacked access to natural light and views.

In the new design, classrooms, offices, and common spaces for the departments of Classics, German, Russian, Romance Languages, and Literature take their cues from the historic building while re-envisioning the interior for modern pedagogy and intellectual exchange. This gut renovation improves daylight and shared amenities while preserving the historic exterior. Life safety, energy, and accessibility improvements include new sprinklers, fire alarms, elevator, window replacement, roof insulation, and new building systems.

A reconfigured main entrance improves accessibility while a new sloped garden brings light and views to spaces in the lower level. Energy efficiency of the building was improved by adding insulation to the existing masonry façade, completing through-wall hydrothermal energy analyses to improve performance without causing moisture issues. New mechanical systems fit within the constraints of the existing floor heights while also being able to tie into Bowdoin’s plan for a future low-carbon campus low temp heating loop, divesting the building from reliance on fossil fuels.