Project Description
Cornell Law School serves as an iconic gateway to the Ithaca campus. The School’s three Collegiate Gothic buildings include its landmark library, and instructional, faculty and staff spaces. Following a Master Plan for the 200,000 sf School, ABA completed the first phase of renovations and expansion, preserving the School’s historic resources, re-purposing existing buildings, and accommodating growth without expanding the campus footprint. Constructed below an existing lawn, the new Academic Center provides three tiered classrooms and breakout space. A new accessible entry extends the composition of the historic buildings and a new lobby provides an inviting setting for informal gatherings. A new Commons includes a café and casual seating. The Academic Center and Commons open out onto Purcell Courtyard, a re-envisioned historic quad, enhancing the use of this primary but previously underutilized outdoor space. This project exceeds the University’s standards for sustainable design and has been awarded LEED Platinum.
The Academic Center has received awards from the American Institute of Architects Southern New York Chapter and the Society for College and University Planning.