Marshall University Architectural Guide
by Carlos Bozzoli, Architect
The John Deaver Drinko Academy

Harris Hall

  
 
 
Current use:
Classrooms and faculty staff offices, houses the departments of classical studies, geog- raphy, history, religious studies, philosophy, psychology, counseling and rehabilitation, adult and technical education, and adminis- trative education.
Location: 
Third Avenue, north side of campus.
Designers:
Dean & Dean, Architects, Huntington, WV
Completed: 
1976
Name: 

In honor of Arvil Ernest Harris, a political cience and social studies professor who served as Dean of the Graduate School from 1948 to 1964.

Harris Hall is a four stories high rectangular block, structured on a jail-like, iron frame rendered with concrete or gray stone finishing which covers a red brick masonry block slightly recessed inside. This combination of a cage- like linear structure that covers a box was a common issue, used in the Brasilia’s government buildings designed by Oscar Niemeyer in the 1950’s. However, while in Brasilia the box is transparent because of glass, in this case the box.


 

has a predominant red brick rendering with rows of small windows, grouped in pairs. Designers were intending to convey a feeling of tradition. Furthermore, it reminds as well certain features of the modern classicism trend, in fashion between 1961 and 1976, as some emblematical works like the Lincoln Center of New York. The polished concrete rendered structure has square columns that appear either exempt or half attached onto the brick wall. The smaller ends of the building have two opposites entrances, covered with a cantilevered canopy. Above it, three vertical openings, with round arched tops, covers the full height of the three upper floors.


The plan is consistently rational, with a wide connecting corridor that is placed along the building’s main axis. The designers did their work on a very limited budget and a demanding program. Nonetheless, they did not disdain the architectural character and expression. The rounded shape that softly joins the vertical with the horizontal members, and the round arches at the top of the entrances refers to Roman classical architecture, although with an abstract, veiled manner. Modern classicism was indeed a good option due to the already existing conditions of the site, already surrounded by classical or classical revival examples.