We are proud to announce that the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation Awards Jury chose the Dodd Hall/ Heritage Museum Project to receive recognition for outstanding achievement in the field of restoration/rehabilitation. The Preservation Awards Ceremony and Reception was be held on Friday May 20th, 2011 during the Florida Trust’s 2011 Annual Conference in Central Florida.

The Werkmeister Reading Room, in the original West wing of Dodd Hall, was constructed in 1925 and housed the University library until 1956. It has since been the home to the College of Arts and Sciences, the Philosophy Department, and WFSU-TV.  A highly visible project, Florida State University approached AL+W for Design, Construction Documents, and Construction Administration services to renovate the historic, 3,800 square foot Werkmeister Room in order to create a University Heritage Museum to celebrate the tradition and history of Florida State University.

AL+W conducted design workshops with FSU departments and alumni groups to achieve a vision and concept for the museum which allows for versatile functionality and emphasizes the rich, architectural, character of the space.  AL+W subsequently designed multiple floor plans, an accented hardwood flooring pattern, a celebrated entry vestibule, sub-floor bracing/stiffening, and coordinated lighting and HVAC upgrades.