The Refinishing Touch Blog

When students visit college campuses, what they notice first is how the campus looks. Campuses where everything looks old and dingy are unattractive for students that are thinking of attending, and serve as a constant reminder for students already there that a transfer is only a few paper shuffles away.

Keeping campuses looking new, and making the spaces within function better, can help attract and retain students. It contributes to the overall collegiate experience for individual students, and can alter fundamental group dynamics. It's not just about transforming: it's about sustainability and renovating spaces and furnishings to ensure that they are the best condition for students and staff.

Duke University's high-profile Perkins Project is moving close to completion. The project, which covers several library and campus buildings, was started in 2001 and has seen the redesign and renovation of library spaces, study rooms, the creation of a 24,000 square foot teaching and learning center and several new seminar rooms.

It strikes me that Duke has really reflected how space, furnishings and planning can create dynamic and inspirational teaching environments. The university has also applied sustainable principles to the project, from the reuse of construction materials, insulation and storm water collected for both irrigation and to contribute make-up water for a steam plant.

The Refinishing Touch team has worked with colleges and universities across the country, and we have seen the difference that well-planned and even simple changes can make to the learning environment. As these projects are based on grants and contributions and under the watchful eyes of trustees, it's essential that they balance being environmentally-friendly and cost-effective at the same time, which is why renovation and refurbishing is key.

The Perkins Project won't be fully completed until August 2011 when the final phase, its 1928 West Campus library building and 1948 addition, is ready for students to browse its shelves. But it's great to see such an innovative project maintain momentum, to show other educational institutions what imagination, planning and renovation can achieve.

Labels: Duke University, Perkins Project, renovation