JSA Inc, Architects Interiors Planners, has been recognized by Maine Preservation for Excellence in Rehabilitation at Hedge Hall and Roger Williams Hall on the Bates College campus.
Hedge Hall and Roger Williams Hall, built in 1890 and 1895 respectively, represent two of the oldest buildings on campus - and two of the most beloved by alumni. Despite that, by 2008, Roger Williams Hall faced demolition. JSA's solution incorporated a mix of renovations, restorations, and additions, repurposing the brick buildings to meet current college needs, and saving Roger Williams from the wrecking ball. The additions represent a clear distinction from the historic original portions, yet pay homage to the original buildings. Today both buildings stand as prime examples of how older structures can adapt to modern needs.
"They've done contemporary statements that make respectful bows to history," said Philip Isaacson, architecture critic and author. "Instead of trying to replicate the existing building in the addition, what they've done is find the spirit, the intensity, the architectural aesthetic of the original building and carry that on into the addition."