History

Another challenge with the added scope of the building is to sensitively consider it with respect to the historic nature of the original structure. The University of Washington, Seattle Campus Master Plan requires the preparation of a Historic Resource Addendum (HRA). The HRA has been used in the evaluation of alternatives and helps to ensure that important elements of the campus, its historical character and value, environmental considerations and landscape context are preserved, enhanced and valued. The HRA further insures that improvements, changes and modifications to the physical environment are clearly analyzed and documented. The addition to Lewis Hall does not adversely impact the architectural and historic significance of the building and permits the University to fulfill its mission of preservation, advancement, and dissemination of knowledge.—Ken Kubota, project manager for the Lewis Hall renovation, UW Capital Projects Office.

The site and building are an integral part of the UW Seattle campus. Lewis Hall formed part of the original 1898 Fuller "Oval" campus plan that included Lewis, Clark, and Denny  Halls. Later in 1914, Olmsted was hired to develop a campus plan that was rejected by the Regents. The Regents' Plan included "collegiate Gothic as the architectural style for the campus, establishing the library as the central architectural feature, and hiring an architect" to oversee completion of the campus. They chose Gould who developed the 1915 campus plans with later revisions by Bebb and Gould in 1920. The campus was growing! These plans established the Liberal Arts Quadrangle and the three main axes through campus.

Lewis and Clark Halls were designed and built for men's and women's dormitories after much controversy about the likelihood of  troublesome students, discipline problems, and potential liability for the University. President Frank Graves determined that the University would not grow further without dormitories. The Washington State Legislature provided $25,000 for each building. The exteriors were built of solid brick construction, which is freestanding and supports itself. Inside the brick shell, all interior floors and walls were framed with wood.

After Lewis Hall was completed in 1899, it served as a Men's Dormitory until 1922 when it was converted to a Women's Dormitory. From 1939 through 2008, the building housed classrooms and administrative offices, most recently for the School of Business Administration. Their new building will be ready for them before the renovation of Lewis Hall begins.

Lewis Hall has been refurbished and upgraded many times, including replastering, repainting, and the addition of electrical outlets in 1925. The renovation for the iSchool will surpass in scope any of the previous work. It will include upgrades for seismic, energy, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), accessibility, restrooms, elevators, and other code-related improvements.

Contact the Lewis Hall Committee, its members, or Dean Bruce with your comments or questions.