The document proposes renovations to Pillsbury Hall that integrate historic preservation with innovative interior design. It suggests dramatic interior spaces including responsive windows, luminscent bookshelves, and a tilted spiral stair. The renovations aim to link literary and material culture by embracing both the building's past and new possibilities, and creating spaces that encourage intellectual discovery and engagement through the use of light.

1. Pillsbury Hall Revisited Illustrative Narrative of Interior Renovation Potential Interior Architecture Vision Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle, Ltd Maryland and Minnesota Historic Renovation MacDonald Mack Architects Minnesota

2. Old/New Engagements The exterior of Pillsbury Hall and the English Department’s programs proposed to move into it as part of a needed remodeling, provides an extraordinary opportunity for a unique and progressive approach to its design. We propose a dramatic and innovative series of interior spaces and amenities, not as imitative or even derivative expressions , but as inspired, high performing, and complementary features that affirm the future while honoring the past.

3. Convergent and Overarching Themes Literary Culture and Visual/Material Culture share a creative and critical history, that can provide and enlarge meaning, when consciously engaged in a common place. Illumination can be both an intellectual/psychic state of mind and a material/physical state of existence. When they serve each other metaphorically and literally they can heighten and expand awareness and discovery. Repurposing places with historic significance can be an awakening of original value and a discoveryof new possibilities. Distinguishing but associating the old and the new promises greater integrity and value to each.

4. Illumination 1 a: to enlighten spiritually and intellectually, b: to supply or brighten with light Complement: Solid, Fixed, andSculpted Pillsbury Hall with Luminescent, Dynamic and Layered New Responsive, Performing, Engaging Windows, Light Shelves, and Shutters Translucent, Refined, Accessible Bookshelves and Standards Dynamic, Mysterious, Incremental Stairs and Structure

5. Opaque enclosures block all natural daylight Window Features: Full Shuttered

6. Multiple levels of operability allow for unique customization of quality day lighting. Window Features: 25% open

7. Light shelf bounces high level light for reflection off ceiling surface and results in even ambient lighting Opaque shutters fully open Translucent shutters filter direct sunlight Window Features: 50% open

8. Exterior light shelf unfolds to maximize reflective light shelf surface Window Features: 75% open

9. Opening entire shutter apparatus allows maximum exposure to daylight. Window Features: Full Open

10. Section Views through Pillsbury Hall to Expose New Rooms Inside Section Picture Plane AA Section Picture Plane BB

11. Cupola Lounge Heritage/Reception Room Tilted Spiral Stair Study/Reading Room Section Perspective AA: Looking East

12. Attic Performance/Classrooms Tilted Spiral Stair Section Perspective AA: Looking East

13. Ascending Spiral Stair From bottom to top the new stair should tilt away from its nested center toward the attic spaces of assembly, sharing and engagement, leaving the cupola available for a special use. Materials should promote translucency and kinetic experience with diverse insights. The material surfaces and details provide many opportunities for collaborations with language and visual text. The special attributes of the new CupolaRoom provides another feature merging prophetic and historic significance.

14. Cupola Lounge Tilted Spiral Stair Perforated Structural Steel Column Steel Risers with Translucent Glass Treads

15. This room will be the primary study, lounge and gathering place for students in the English Department. Wrapping this room with a translucent and illuminated shelving and cabinetry (lights are embedded within the standards) that holds special texts and objects, is a conscious effort to embody the aspirations of linking literary and material culture. The “intelligent” and responsive window treatments and digitally linked and balanced lighting will permit a wide range of alternative venues, and do so while dramatically improving the energy performance, appearance and comfort of the spaces. Study, Lounge and Reading Room

18. Flexible and diverse furniture will permit wide and dynamic use of the space.

21. The central hall links two new exit stairs (spiral tower stair and one at the west end of the hall, about where the exiting is) so that it can function in a flexible manner for diverse functions.

23. The central hall links two new exit stairs (spiral tower stair and one at the west end of the hall, about where the exiting is) so that it can function in a flexible manner for diverse functions.

25. 2nd Floor Study, Lounge Reading Room New Stair

26. 3rd Floor Heritage Room New Stair

27. Attic Floor Large Performance Space New Stair With Cupola Lounge above Small Assembly Medium Assembly (eyebrow feature)