Benedictine College, Ferrell Hall

Atchison, Kansas

Firm

Treanor Architects, PA

Client

Benedictine College

Area

56,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$7,008,009

Completion Date

07/2001

Ferrell Hall’s place in the history of Benedictine College is signified by its prominent location at the campus entry. This 109-year-old building first served as a monastery for Benedictine monks and later as a residence hall for freshmen before sitting empty for 30 years. Now restored as a residence hall for upper-class students, it not only revived life at the gateway of the campus, but also provided apartment and suite-style living.
During its 30 years of abandonment, the building had succumbed to water damage, housed pigeons and suffered masonry deterioration. Phase one of this project was to clean and repair the building’s interior and exterior. The exterior masonry was pointed, cleaned and repaired, and more than 300 arch-topped windows were replaced.
To help maintain the building’s original character, existing wood floors were salvaged and refinished. The original stone and brick arches were cleaned and highlighted in the new layout.
The original masonry exterior and interior load-bearing walls defined the layout of new spaces. Openings were created within the masonry walls to connect living and sleeping spaces, while minimizing the structural changes required. Suites include private bath facilities, living and sleeping areas, and a kitchenette. Each floor has a lounge for community use. The lower level houses a lounge, meeting rooms, the hall kitchen and the residence director’s apartment.