Mussafer Hall

Tulane’s revitalized and expanded Mussafer Hall combines renovating a 23,000-square-foot, turn-of-the-century building with a striking, yet sensitive addition that enriches the university’s historic uptown campus and embodies the school’s values.

Critical to the success of this project is the sensitive restoration and adaptive reuse of a 1902 Dutch Renaissance-style structure, originally constructed as the University’s first dormitory. Glass-fronted offices and interview rooms contain windows that make the building feel open and bright, while two original stairwells are repurposed as lightwells to bring additional natural light deep into the three-story building. Wherever possible, the original interior brick walls are exposed, and new materials thoughtfully selected to highlight the original structure’s rich details and help the space exceed current energy standards.

The 7,600-square-foot addition is shaped by its challenging context: a tight site between the historic dormitory and a majestic 100-year-old live oak tree — the oldest on campus and the only tree allowed to grow naturally. This inspiring modern design navigates the space with a series of shifting cantilevered volumes clad in stucco, limestone, and glass. The materials suggest a sense of permanence appropriate for a prominent University, and echo the brick, stone, and cement used in the adjacent structure.

Mussafer Hall’s triangular footprint is respectfully set back from the historic building and angled away from the tree to protect its roots and canopy. The recessed second-floor storefront deepens the expression of the cantilever above, which partially shades a large-roof terrace designed to take full advantage of the New Orleans climate. Mussafer Hall earned LEED Gold certification thanks to its preservation efforts, dedication to passive sustainable measures, and the thoughtful integration of modern systems to improve building performance.

Location Tulane University, New Orleans Completed 2018 Size 23,000 sf