Perhaps the most notable characteristic of the new Alter Hall is that it looks like it’s always been here. The graceful lines, harmonic masonry and signature turrets perch gracefully on campus. In comparison, the original Alter, christened “Xavier’s first million-dollar building” and dedicated in 1960, bristled with such space age confidence it could have sported tail fins. Instead, a pair of “McDonald’s” arches provided the finishing touch.
So what does $18,000,000 buy these days? Quite a bit, actually, and it also saves a lot—in terms of energy consumption. The interior is definitely not old-school either, with three floors of innovative classrooms and learning spaces for traditional classes, small work groups and collaborative group projects, while also supporting the Honors Program and housing the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Truly a class act.
After 53 years as the academic workhorse of Xavier, Alter Hall was gutted to its frame and redesigned over 15 months as a modern classroom building for 21st-century students.
The $18 million renovation includes four floors of classrooms and new learning spaces.
Rebuilt to LEED Gold standards, the new Alter is environmentally friendly and energy efficient, a tribute to Xavier’s commitment to being a more sustainable campus.
Environmental elements include natural lighting and energy use at half the campus average.
The interior of the building includes slate walls, usable yellow surfaces and comfortable couches where students can hang out between classes.
Honors students have a space all their own where a conference table that once graced Marion Hall has followed the students all the way to the top floor.
The building’s multiple gathering spaces enable small and large group learning.
White-boards and wireless connectivity encourage big ideas and creativity.
Windows reduce solar heating, and a reflective roof reduces heat retention.
The building’s façade was designed to resemble the architectural lines of both older and newer buildings on campus.
The St. Ignatius Steps, which replaces Kelley Auditorium, features a statue of St. Ignatius that was moved to the stairway that connects the Hoff Quad Plaza above to the Academic Mall below.
A rain and bog garden on the left side of the steps uses rainwater to support native plants in a wetland habitat. The plants increase the habitat for birds, insects, butterflies and bees.
