Silliman College inner courtyard

In 2008 we completed Silliman College, our fourth residential college renovation at Yale University. Silliman is the largest of Yale University’s ten original residential Colleges, housing 400 undergraduate students in an immersive residential, academic and social environment. The complex is composed of historic structures from three separate building campaigns begun in the 1890s and extending through 1940.

 
The oldest part of the college consists of the gothic revival Vanderbilt-Sheffield dormitories and the neoclassical Byers Hall. The Georgian brick portion of the college, opened in 1940, connects the separate structures and completes the block. All buildings were in need of comprehensive restoration and systems upgrades.  New architectural interventions woven throughout the historic buildings unify the college with contemporary program and detail.

Byers Hall entry

The early phases of the project, conducted in the two summers preceding the main construction, included roofing and stone repair on Van-Sheff tower, window replacement, creation of occupiable space in the attics of the Georgians, and the renovation of rooms in Silliman Tower. The final phase, completed in only fifteen months, improved circulation through Byers Hall, restored the interior courtyard, and converted neglected basement spaces into new zones of activity including a fitness center, basketball court, dance studio, café, printmaking and recording studios, library, computer center, lounges, meeting rooms and an art gallery.

A glass ellipse through the upper and lower levels of Byers Hall serves as a smoke baffle.

The rooftop linking Byers Hall to the Georgians was converted to a light well, bridging the two architectural styles.

A contemporary servery leads to the fully restored dining room.

A passage to new program spaces in the lower level.

Original wrought-iron is integrated with new details. 

Openings were carefully inserted throughout the foundation walls, mediated by new steel beams and columns.

An art gallery inserted on the first floor overlooks common areas in the basement.

A student run cafe is located in a double-height space below the art gallery.

A new accessible ramp with glass guard rails provides unobstructed views of the historic building. 

The Beatrix Farrand landscape was restored.