A 1926 dining hall modernized without losing its grandeur.
The problem we were solving
Water damage to the existing vaulted suspended plaster ceiling put a historic 1926 dining hall out of service.
The room is defined by its arched ceiling meeting barreled windows, so any repair had to improve the quality of the space while preserving the historical character that made it worth saving.
Alongside the ceiling work, the project modernized the systems and finishes throughout: refinished wood detail, furniture and lighting, a new feature wall with a fireplace and built-in seating, a retractable projection screen with an A/V equipment closet, new flooring with historical in-lay detailing, new millwork, and a new paint scheme.
Key Project Components
What the project involved.
Repair of the vaulted suspended plaster ceiling damaged by water.
Arched ceiling detailing met by barreled windows.
Refinishing of existing wood detail, furniture, and lighting.
New feature wall including fireplace and built-in seating.
Retractable projection screen with A/V equipment closet.
New paint scheme throughout.
New flooring with historical in-lay detailing.
New millwork throughout.
Challenges & Solutions
Modern systems inside a heritage room.
The historical grandeur had to survive the renovation. Ceiling, wood detail, furniture, and lighting were repaired and refinished rather than replaced wherever possible.
A retractable projection screen and A/V equipment closet were integrated into a 1926 room, adding modern capability without visible intrusion.
New flooring with historical in-lay detailing, new millwork, and a new paint scheme were selected to read as original to the building.
Key Takeaways
What this project proved.
Heritage rooms reward repair and refinishing over replacement.
Modern A/V can be integrated into a historic space when it is planned into the millwork.
Construction management suits heritage work where scope evolves as conditions are uncovered.
Heritage renovation on an active campus.
This project shows Stolk restoring a water-damaged heritage dining hall while modernizing its systems, finishes, and functionality.
It reinforces our record on institutional and heritage renovations where the finished room has to feel both original and current.
