WER Architects Receives Outstanding Project Award and National Recognition for Hendrix College
WER Architects has received an Outstanding Project Award in Learning By Design Magazine’s Fall 2023 Educational Facilities Awards Showcase. WER Architects’ historic preservation, restoration and renovation of Martin Hall on the Hendrix College campus, in Conway, Arkansas, has been recognized as an award-winning benchmark facility for its incorporation of next generation learning space design and planning methodologies.
All awarded entries in the Fall 2023 awards edition of Learning By Design magazine (LBD) have been peer reviewed by a jury of endorsed AIA-CAE, A4LE and LBD education design professionals. All awards program entries, such as Martin Hall at Hendrix College, are scored on six submission criteria: Innovation, Community Needs, Interiors, Sustainability, Planning and Functional Design, and Next Generation Learning. The judges determine each project’s worthiness, unique qualities, and the architectural design and planning concepts that were successfully implemented related to pedagogy and community wellbeing. Learning By Design’s jury of five education architectural design experts applauded WER Architects for its accomplishment in the design and historic renovation of Martin Hall in exceeding the majority of the six submission criteria.
The Jury comments about this project included: “Great renovation to a dorm to meet the modern needs of students, the common spaces are well done and organized in a manner to support the sense of community needed in a dorm today. The design team as able to successfully introduce student focused learning spaces that support collaboration and social interaction.”
Martin Hall at Hendrix College, was built in 1918, and is the second oldest surviving building on campus. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has housed numerous community, state, and national leaders during their undergraduate years, including Hendrix College President Emeritus Ellis Arnold ’79, who led the College during its renovation process. The transformation of Martin Hall was significant. Not only was the entire interior renovated and reconfigured to meet today’s students needs, the exterior saw a major transformation through opening up the original porch.
“Martin Hall is a project that our entire team is incredibly proud to be a part of,” said John Greer, Principal, WER Architect. “To be able to share this project on a national level makes it just that much more exciting!”
ABOUT WER
We believe quality architecture helps create a better world. This philosophy has been a driving force behind the work of WER Architects from the start. A start that began in Little Rock in 1978. Today, WER is one of the state’s most recognized architectural firms with offices in Little Rock and Fayetteville. Its portfolio of high profile projects includes the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Windgate Center for Art + Design, Historic Cane Hill College Restoration, University of Arkansas Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences, Jacksonville North Pulaski County School District, University of Arkansas J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Baseball Development Center, Premier Medical Plaza, Delta Dental of Arkansas Corporate Campus, Richard Sheppard Arnold United States Courthouse and numerous high profile higher education and K-12 projects across the state. For more information on WER Architects and to view its full portfolio visit werarch.com.
ABOUT LEARNING BY DESIGN
Martin Hall will be featured in the print and digital version of the Fall 2023 edition of Learning By Design Magazine. The magazine reaches leaders at all levels of education and facility design—from early childhood and elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, combined grade-level schools, career-vocational Education centers, and two and four-year institutions of higher education throughout the United States. To access the digital edition, visit learningbydesignmagazine.com
ABOUT HENDRIX COLLEGE
Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges and celebrated among the country’s leading liberal arts colleges for academic quality, engaged learning opportunities and career preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The Hendrix College Warriors compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at hendrix.edu.
“… Through engagement that links the classroom with the world, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice, and sustainable living, the Hendrix community inspires students to lead lives of accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy.” —Hendrix College Statement of Purpose