Middlebury College - Johnson Memorial Building

Photos by Esso

2023
Mcleod Architects
Middlebury, vt

48,000 GSF renovation

Education & Libraries

The renovation and reuse of this unique New England Brutalist building for the arts will bring a new inspiration to Middlebury College students for another fifty years. Originally completed in 1967, the Johnson Memorial Building for Studio Art and Architectural Studies is a thoughtful building, renovated and reconfigured to create modern and spirited spaces to work, study, and gather.

Renfro Design Group worked in collaboration with McLeod Architects and Huston Engineering to rethink the lighting throughout the major public areas of the building. We imagined ways to light the spaces that support the creative functions of each space while reinforcing the bold concrete forms and new glass entry. Major changes to the circulation, ADA accessibility and new wayfinding are supported by the integrated lighting solution and provide illumination for informal displays throughout the building.

The new lighting systems were integrated into the original character defining elements that defined the tall ceilings. The new entry is now home to some of the original fixtures that were retrofitted with new lighting systems to transition new and historic spaces.