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

Laidley Hall

  
 
View from southwest
  
Current use:
Coed residence, houses the offices of the Department of Residence Services on the first floor. "Honors" placements are avail-able for high qualified students.
Location: 
Third Avenue on the north side of campus.
Designers:
Meanor & Handloser, Architects.
Completed: 
1937, renovated in 1968
Name: 
For John Laidley, (1791-1863), who founded Marshall Academy in 1837 and named the school for his friend and colleague, Chief United States Supreme Court Justice John Marshall.

A three stories residence, its plan shows a long block with three protruding sections that opens to the west side, thus creating two courts with one side that faces the pedestrian paths of the inner campus and the Harris Hall. Each one of the protruding sections has entrances to the building, as the plain façade which faces eastwards. A carefully planned rhythm of windows orders the whole fenestration, and the extremes of the facades have been emphasized using ingeniously designed pilasters. See description of Hodges Hall, a very similar building.