One of Ohio State’s most historic buildings will be receiving a face-lift beginning spring quarter.
Jennings Hall will undergo renovations totaling $28 million.
“This building is just tired,” said Richard Hall, associate dean of the College of Biological Sciences and the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences. “The building is at the point where things need to be replaced rather than repaired.”
The original structure of Jennings Hall was erected in 1914 and some of it still exists today.
“Parts of it are 90 years old and the infrastructure simply cannot accommodate the modern science,” said Joan Herbers, dean of the College of Biological Sciences. “The electricity, ventilation system and plumbing are all worn out.”
Because the building was built many years ago, part of the renovation project is going to include a timeline reflecting on the past.
According to Synergy, the publication of the College of Biological Sciences, the plans feature a literal “timeline” throughout the building.
“Architectural features will be preserved in the building’s redesign, so that those entering through the main Neil Avenue doors will experience its historical impact. Walking from east to west through the building will be a walk from the early 20th century into the 2lst,” according to the publication.
The renovation is projected to be done by fall 2006, and it will allow the building to provide more services.
“The teaching laboratories and classroom pool rooms will be modern, comfortable and will be able to accommodate the latest in teaching and learning technologies,” Hall said.
“The project involves both renovation and demolition, updating building mechanicals to modern standards, and changing some of the structure’s room and corridor orientations to be more functional, while restoring and maintaining much of its original integrity, grandeur and beauty,” Synergy said.
During the course of the renovation, the colleges and departments will be relocated to different parts of campus.
“We recently moved our research operation into the brand-new Aronoff Building and we are relocating our teaching operations to Smith (Hall) while Jennings is being renovated,” Herbers said.
After the renovations to Jennings are complete, other departments will be able to use the facilities as well.
“We are working closely with the Mathematical Bioscience Institute and the classroom pool office to make sure they have adequate space when the project is done,” Herbers said.
Poor building conditions have hindered the productivity of the professors and students, making the renovation necessary.
“There are lab exercises that we cannot offer to students at present and faculty cannot do their work adequately,” Herbers said. “But after a long campus review process, the state allocated funds to renovate, and finally it is our turn.”
The faculty and students working in the building are looking positively toward the future.
“Our faculty, staff and students have functioned well despite the considerable limits posed by the facilities in Jennings,” Hall said. “We are looking forward to working in an environment where the kinds of things that we do are not severely constrained by our facilities.”
