The Citadel Debuts New Take on Historic Hall
By Eric Althoff
CHARLESTON, S.C.鈥擠esign firm Woolpert and general contractor Thompson Turner Construction have completed work at the Citadel military college鈥檚 newest structure, which replaces the original Capers Hall, first opened in the 1950s.
The new $67-million Capers Hall offers customizable classroom designers, AV capabilities, smart tech devices as well as a contemporary computer lab. The three-story, 97,500-square-foot edifice houses both the institute鈥檚 School of Humanities and Social Sciences and also a 250-seat performing arts auditorium, art gallery, mock courtroom, as well as areas devoted to cybersecurity and the handling of other delicate and sensitive information.
鈥淐apers Hall has been a bedrock of this institution for seven decades,鈥 the Citadel Provost Sally SeldeIt said at a recent ribbon-cutting event. 鈥淎s we stand in this new building today, it鈥檚 not just bricks and mortar we see, but the embodiment of a strategic vision鈥擮ur Mighty Citadel.鈥
Woolpert aimed at incorporating as many sustainable elements as possible, including recycling crushed concrete, masonry and stucco from the demolition of the original Capers Hall to be reused in the new facility鈥檚 foundation and parking lot. Additionally, Thompson Turner installed upon the roof a photovoltaic solar power system to help offset energy consumption. This is part of the Citadel鈥檚 overall goal of achieving LEED Silver certification.
鈥淭he building鈥檚 exterior seamlessly blends with the rest of the campus鈥檚 Moorish architecture through its white stucco fa莽ade and incorporation of the building鈥檚 original iron-frame light fixtures,鈥 said Woolpert Project Manager David Welling. 鈥淭he exterior is beautiful, but the technology and interior details within are what truly make this new building so special.
鈥淲e are really looking forward to seeing how the cadets and faculty make use of their new spaces.鈥
Woolpert, founded in 2011 in Dayton, Ohio, employs over 2,000 people on five continents. The firm鈥檚 services include AEG, geospatial and strategic consulting.