University of Virginia Garrett Hall Renovation

The historic Garrett Hall (ca. 1908) is an English lodge-style building originally built for food service and later converted into classroom space. The goal of this project was to return the building to its original appearance and transform it into the permanent home of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.

This renovation preserved the historic great hall as a multi-purpose work and gathering space, restored the original two-story lobby and provided administrative and faculty offices and student work rooms and offices. The historic building also received new HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire suppression, and data systems. Vegetated roof systems were installed on the flat roofs of the 1970s annex. Restoration of the plaster ceilings and heavy oak work was performed, stairways were opened up and significant structural issues were corrected.

Garrett Hall sits on The Lawn, a Thomas Jefferson-designed historical green space in the hub of the campus. Christman committed to performing all work staging indoors or on raised exterior platforms to prevent disturbance of student traffic as well as fire protection to The Lawn and the adjacent classroom buildings and coffee shop.