Elon University is being recognized for the renovation work that created the H. Michael Weaver building, home of The Elon University School of Law in downtown Greensboro, N.C. Preservation Greensboro Incorporated will honor the university with a preservation award during its annual meeting on Feb. 13. Details...
Elon began a complete renovation of the building, which formerly served as the Greensboro Central Public Library building, in fall 2004. The building, which originally opened in 1964, was designed by the architectural firm of Loewenstein and Atkinson of Greensboro. It served as a library until 1998 when the city’s new library opened. It was later used as temporary offices for the Building Inspections and Water Resources Departments.
“Elon University is being recognized for its skillful restoration of the old Greensboro Public Library, designed by acclaimed local architect Edward Loewenstein around 1960,” said Benjamin Briggs, executive director of Preservation Greensnboro. “During the restoration process, hallmark features of the old library were preserved, including the aggregate relief panels designed by artist Gregory Ivey and the twisting grand staircase. Thanks to the innovative and progressive outlook of Elon Law School, one of North Carolina’s most expressive examples of modernism will be preserved for future generations to enjoy.”
Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott, a worldwide architectural firm based in Boston, joined with J. Hyatt Hammond Associates, a Greensboro architectural firm, to design the $6 million transformation of the facility into a state-of-the-art legal education facility. Lomax Construction of Greensboro was the project’s general contractor.
In the renovation, a floor was removed in the former library’s lower level and replaced with a two-story space with a mezzanine for the law school’s spacious library. A dramatic round skylight was added to bring outdoor light into the building’s second floor and first-floor entrance foyer, and windows were also added to the second floor. The main floor includes a high-tech courtroom, jury room, dean’s suite, staff and faculty offices, and a multipurpose seminar/classroom while the second floor features three classrooms, seminar rooms, faculty offices and a student commons and coffee bar.
The Elon University School of Law welcomed its charter class of 115 students when it opened in August 2006.
Each year, Preservation Greensboro Incorporated honors noteworthy preservation projects throughout greater Greensboro. The guidelines for the awards include consideration of sensitivity to the historic integrity of the site following the Secretary of Interior’s Guidelines for Historic Rehabilitation. Emphasis is given to exterior restoration projects that exemplify Greensboro’s cultural, historical, and architectural heritage. This year the organization is honoring eight recipients that were nominated by the general public, and represent the broad spectrum of preservation projects from across the city.