This project transformed Bennington College’s Commons from an underused building that blocked movement across the north and south halves of the campus into a multi-use hub that stitches together its surroundings. The 45,000-square-foot gut renovation is the first substantial upgrade to the facility since the building’s completion in 1932, and it equips Commons to serve the College for decades to come while celebrating its historic character. The design introduces a north-south axis through the building, better linking these two halves of the campus. It also doubles dining capacity, brings 16 new classrooms online, adds a peer-learning lab, and incorporates social lounges and student services — all without expanding the building footprint. To bring Commons up to operational and sustainability standards, the renovation introduces previously absent HVAC systems that employ two large energy recovery ventilators powered by biomass fuel and also equips the building to be geothermal ready. With these measures, the renovation furthers Bennington College’s American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030.

*Project completed at Christoff:Finio Architecture