Ennis Hall Rehabilitation

Georgia College & State University's Art Department, scattered throughout make-shift facilities on campus, never had a sense of place. Ennis Hall, built in 1916 as a dormitory, was once one of the finest buildings on campus, the dormitory that seniors often chose to make their home; but after years of disuse it had become a vacant eyesore. Through this project, both the art department and the building have gained a new sense of identity, creating a center of creativity and re-invigorating this once dormant place on campus. The project required a sensitive balance of preserving Ennis Hall’s historic character while adapting the interior for modern academic use, accommodating studio spaces, classrooms, and faculty offices. Key design interventions involved strategic removal of load-bearing elements to open studio areas, while glass partitions preserved the visual integrity of original corridors. Historical details, such as transom windows, plaster finishes, and narrow doors, were retained and repurposed, contributing to the building’s LEED Silver certification. Additionally, the landscape was restored to integrate Ennis Hall with the broader campus, creating outdoor spaces that enhance both student engagement and the architectural context of the Milledgeville historic district.