Armstrong Building

Armstrong Building
source
Name	Armstrong Building
Location	Durham, New Hampshire
Architect	Ralph Adams Cram
Client	University of New Hampshire

Armstrong Building is a historic building located on the campus of the University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire, and was designed by renowned architect Ralph Adams Cram in the style of Collegiate Gothic architecture, similar to the designs of Princeton University and University of Chicago. The building was constructed during the tenure of University of New Hampshire president Ralph D. Hetzel, and was named after General Charles Armstrong, a notable figure in the American Civil War. The building's design was influenced by the works of Frank Furness and Henry Hobson Richardson, and features a mix of Romanesque Revival architecture and Gothic Revival architecture elements, similar to those found in the Boston Public Library and Trinity Church, Boston.

● History

The Armstrong Building was constructed in the early 20th century, during a period of significant growth and expansion for the University of New Hampshire, under the leadership of presidents Ralph D. Hetzel and Edward M. Lewis. The building was designed to serve as a central hub for student activities, and featured a large auditorium, as well as offices and meeting spaces for various student organizations, including the University of New Hampshire chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa society. The building's construction was made possible through the support of notable donors, including John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie, who also contributed to the development of other institutions, such as Harvard University and Yale University. The building has hosted a wide range of events and activities over the years, including concerts by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and lectures by notable figures, such as Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson.

● Architecture

The Armstrong Building is a notable example of Collegiate Gothic architecture, with a design that reflects the influence of Ralph Adams Cram's work on other notable buildings, such as the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City and the Westminster Abbey in London. The building features a mix of Romanesque Revival architecture and Gothic Revival architecture elements, including a large stone façade, pointed arches, and a steeply pitched roof, similar to those found in the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. The building's design was also influenced by the works of Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan, and features a number of innovative design elements, including a large skylight and a complex system of vaulted ceilings, similar to those found in the Robie House and the Guaranty Building. The building's architecture has been praised by notable critics, including Lewis Mumford and Vincent Scully, who have also written about the works of Frank Gehry and I.M. Pei.

● Location

The Armstrong Building is located on the campus of the University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire, and is situated near a number of other notable buildings, including the Memorial Union Building and the Whittemore Center. The building is also located near the Lamprey River, which runs through the center of campus, and offers scenic views of the surrounding countryside, similar to those found in the English countryside and the Scottish Highlands. The building's location has made it a popular destination for students and visitors, who come to attend events and activities, or simply to enjoy the building's historic architecture and beautiful surroundings, similar to those found in the National Park Service-managed Acadia National Park and White Mountain National Forest. The building is also located near a number of other notable institutions, including the Dartmouth College and the New Hampshire State House, which are located in nearby Hanover, New Hampshire and Concord, New Hampshire.

● Significance

The Armstrong Building is a significant landmark on the campus of the University of New Hampshire, and has played an important role in the university's history and development, similar to the role of the Wren Building at the College of William & Mary and the Old North at Harvard University. The building has been the site of numerous important events and activities, including concerts, lectures, and meetings, and has hosted a wide range of notable figures, including Eleanor Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr., who also spoke at the Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall. The building's historic architecture and beautiful surroundings have also made it a popular destination for tourists and visitors, who come to explore the campus and learn about the university's rich history, similar to the University of Virginia and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The building has been recognized as a significant cultural and historical resource, and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with other notable buildings, such as the White House and the United States Capitol.

● Renovations

The Armstrong Building has undergone several renovations and restorations over the years, including a major renovation in the 1980s, which was led by the architectural firm of Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott, and a more recent restoration, which was completed in 2010, and was funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and also supported by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The renovations have helped to preserve the building's historic architecture and ensure its continued use as a vibrant and dynamic hub of student activity, similar to the Student Union at the University of Michigan and the Kimmel Center at New York University. The building's renovations have also included the installation of new energy-efficient systems and sustainable materials, similar to those used in the Bullitt Center and the VanDusen Botanical Garden, and have helped to reduce the building's environmental impact, in line with the goals of the United Nations Environment Programme and the Environmental Protection Agency. The building's renovations have been recognized with several awards, including the Preservation Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the AIA Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects.

Category:University of New Hampshire