Time and technology caught up with Norfolk State University’s beloved Brown Hall, originally built in 1955 at the heart of campus. Mindful of changing pedagogies of the 21st century classroom, NSU made the difficult decision to demolish the original building that served as library, cafeteria, classrooms and administrative offices to make way for a new G.W.C. Brown Memorial Hall truly representative of today’s learning and active learning environments. Work Program Architects, in partnership with Dills Architects, collaborated with the university to design a modern facility, LEED Gold-certified facility that honors Brown Hall’s legacy while embracing the future of education.
The new building is a three-story, 154,000 SF classroom and office building. The building hosts a variety of flexible classrooms, distance learning classrooms, computer labs, observation classrooms, meeting rooms, study areas, student lounges, audio and video editing suites, TV studio, multipurpose black box theater, and a theater that seats 373. The North Lobby includes a gallery for displays about the history of Brown Hall. The South Lobby includes the Lobby Amphitheater which accommodates small performances, presentations, and informal collaboration.
A key design focus was creating opportunities for out-of-classroom learning. Corridors function as “learning nodes,” where students and professors can collaborate informally before and after class. Outdoor learning is encouraged through a second-story outdoor classroom and an amphitheater. Expansive glass walls provide sweeping views of the academic quad, which includes the Student Services & Student Center Building, the Nursing & General Education Building, the Lyman Beecher Brooks Library, and the Communication Towers. Nostalgic alumni will recognize a tribute to Brown Hall’s history in the new clock anchoring the building along Corprew Avenue.
