University of North Carolina Hill Hall Renovation

I returned to University of North Carolina, this time to photograph Hill Hall, part of UNC’s Department of Music for mid-Atlantic-based Quinn Evans Architects. You may remember them from the downtown Cary Theater they did in the area a few years ago.

Hill Hall was originally built in 1907 as the main campus library. It’s gone through several renovations and iterations over the years.

UNC Hill Hall exterior

Quinn Evans re-opened the rotunda area, renewing architectural details and finishes throughout both stories.

UNC Hill Hall Rotunda ground floor

UNC Hill Hall Rotunda from second floor

Offices and classrooms serving the space were also enhanced.

UNC Hill Hall recital classroom

Quinn Evans and the theater consultants, aptly named Theatre Consultants Collaborative did a pretty bang-up job with the space. I guess there were previous issues with the acoustics during performances, so they used decorative fabric that electronically lowers from above the ceiling, plaster-filled diffusion panels, and other sound-absorbing materials to provide more pristine sound. The theater also has brand new seats, housing approximately 450 guests.

UNC Hill Hall auditorium

UNC Hill Hall auditorium

Yes.  That is a Steinway.  There are no Fisher-Price pianos in this neck of the woods.

UNC Hill Hall auditorium

That’s it for now, catch you next blog!

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