An Architectural Gem Gets a 21st-Century Makeover

Restoring Historic Norman Hall

By Barbara Drake (MFA ’04)

One of the most anticipated campus building projects in recent years has been the rehabilitation and expansion of Norman Hall, the historic home of the UF College of Education. Supported by $31.5 million in funding from the Florida Legislature and overseen by Walker Architects, the project was Norman Hall’s first major renovation in its 84-year history.

Completed in fall 2019, the 18-month-long rehab saw the interior of the stately brick structure undergo a top-to-bottom makeover, from new windows, plumbing and HVAC, to restoration of vintage paneling and ceiling tiles, to the creation of a new conference center and a cozy café space. Classrooms have been reconfigured for 21st-century technologies and teaching practices (hello, modular seating and hybrid learning!), and dedicated spaces enable research in early-childhood studies, advanced learning technologies and other areas.

“We have the perfect blend of retaining the historic character of the building with introducing the most recent innovations to prepare future educators and education researchers,” said Dean Glenn Good.

Above all, the “new” Norman Hall prioritizes the student experience, said Dean Good. With his blessing, the ground-floor dean’s office—the first thing visitors used to encounter entering the building—was relocated to the second floor and replaced with a large, light-filled common area.

“Now there are places for students to sit and study and collaborate with their peers year-round,” he said. “We renovated these old wooden alcoves, and now you’ll see students sitting in them, with their feet up and their laptops. This is just as we envisioned it.”

As one of the oldest universities in Florida, UF depends on funding from donors, the state and other entities to maintain and restore its iconic buildings. Here are some before, during and after scenes from Norman Hall’s dramatic makeover.

Built in 1931-34, Norman Hall is a superb example of collegiate Gothic architecture. It originally housed the P.K. Yonge Laboratory School for grades K-12, and was later renamed for James W. Norman, dean of the College of Education. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. Photo courtesy University of Florida Archives, George A. Smathers Libraries

Rather than replace the original library ceiling tiles, a local artist painstakingly restored each by hand, highlighting details with gilt trim. Photo courtesy Walker Architects

The ground floor was opened up and illuminated to provide a common space for students. Photo courtesy Scorpio

Located blocks from eateries, Norman Hall was always a “food desert” for students and faculty. An unfinished basement was turned into a welcoming space now occupied by Starbucks and The Market convenience store. Photo courtesy Scorpio

The original P.K. Yonge library featured beautiful wood paneling and an ornate tiled ceiling. Decades later, the original tiles were covered and forgotten. Photo courtesy E-Learning, Technology and Communications, UF College of Education

Using historical photographs, craftspeople brought the original library back to its former glory. The environmentally conscious rehabilitation qualified Norman Hall for a Gold Level Certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. Photo courtesy Scorpio

Funded by Florida’s Art in Public Buildings program, a new mural by Don Rimx adorns a Norman staircase; the colorful artwork pays homage to the spirit of innovative education. Photo courtesy E-Learning, Technology and Communications, UF College of Education