A timeless building with a modern twist: furniture adds contemporary flair to preservation award-winning expansion and renovation of Denison University’s 120-year-old Beth Eden building
Since 1903, the stately Beth Eden building has had a commanding presence on Denison University’s Granville, Ohio campus. A recent expansion and renovation to the administrative building honors that heritage — the project received a “best historic preservation” honor in Columbus Business First’s Build Columbus Awards.
The facility’s Ionic columns, symmetrical façade, and Palladian windows exemplify the Federal Revival style popularized after the Revolutionary War. When students enter, though, they discover an unexpected contrast — dispersed throughout the facility are contemporary furnishings with clean lines and little ornamentation.
Initially, placing contemporary furniture within a historic building might seem counterintuitive. However, Denison representatives and campus interior designer Legat Architects chose the furnishings for a reason: they not only tastefully blend with the interior setting but also fulfill an important university goal.
Balancing Tradition and Progress
During planning for the Beth Eden project, the university presented a dual challenge to the architectural and interior design team: respect Beth Eden’s historic character and portray Denison as a forward-looking institution.
The project, designed by Acock & Associates Architects and built by CK Construction Group, achieves this goal with a new, modern glass entry that connects the original facility and an expansion that replicates its historic Federal Revival architecture.
That left the interior response. Legat conducted a furniture inventory of Denison’s purchasing department, located in another building. This enabled the department to transfer most of its furniture to its new home on the Beth Eden building’s third floor. New furniture was identified for the entirety of the first and second floors including the provost’s and president’s suites.
The Legat team turned to furniture manufacturers Herman Miller (founded in 1905) and Knoll (founded in 1938). “We recognized that there was a strong connection between the stories of Denison and Herman Miller/Knoll,” said Legat’s Sylvia Kowalk. “They both have a deep history and a strong reputation for innovation and timeless design.”
Denison History and Brand in Every Detail
The new furniture in Beth Eden relies on an understated color palette except for a few pieces in Denison red. Examples of the latter include the lounge chairs that greet visitors as they enter the lobby and the executive armchairs in the president’s and provost’s suites.
“Rather than expressing color and contrast, we wanted to keep the focus on the building’s history and the Denison brand,” said Kowalk.
One highlight is a new conference room featuring a glass wall that displays the campus. A conference table made of frosted glass (instead of the more traditional wood) avoids detracting from the views, and a wall sign designed by the university showcases the Denison logo and adds warmth with its wood background.
Several furniture pieces within the revived Beth Eden building offer a modern take on traditional materials. The president’s office reception desk, for instance, expresses a contemporary aesthetic with its bold, straight lines and traditional marble front. Additionally, modular wood cabinetry, painted white to create a clean, minimalist look, can easily adapt to changing needs.
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