On Feb. 24, Dallas Preservation presented SMU – a unique candidate- with a preservation achievement award for its non-residential restoration and rehabilitation of Dallas Hall’s rotunda and dome.
It’s not common for universities to enter the contest, according to Donovan Westover, events coordinator for Dallas Preservation.
A three-man jury selected 12 winners from 35 entrees – the largest number it has received since the contest began seven years ago.
This year “there were a lot of exceptional properties nominated,” Westover said.
Dallas Hall restoration, which was completed on Aug. 15, 2005, took careful planning and creativity. One challenge SMU faced during its restoration of Dallas Hall, like many do during the preservation process, was how it could retain and restore the original components while bringing the building up to speed with new technology and building codes.
Not only did the university win Dallas Preservation’s approval, but it won over SMU English professor and resident historian Marshall Terry.
“I think it’s glorious. From what I can tell, it’s very near the original. And Dean Neel deserves a great deal of credit for the project,” he said, adding that he considers Dallas Hall his home for the last 52 years he’s taught in it. “This makes me appreciate it even more.”
Other non-cosmetic renovations to Dallas Hall include an updated ventilation and lighting system and a sprinkler system in the rotunda, according to Alli Busby, advancement specialist for SMU corporate and foundation relations.
The restoration project took place in the spring and summer of 2005.
PBK Architects completed the dome restoration using slate and copper roofing components and Condrad Schmitt Studios revamped the rotunda’s interior.
Dallas Hall is listed as a historic landmark on National Register, recorded as a Texas Historic landmark and designated as a Dallas Historic landmark.
Dallas Hall hasn’t received a facelift of this magnitude since it was first put together between 1912 and 1914.
Its original architect and builder was Shepley Ruton Coolidge, Boston and Fred A. Jones Building Company, respectively.
