The Hirschfeld House, built in 1908, is home to the Brown University Judaic Studies program. Over the years classrooms and offices were carved out of the residential spaces in the building in an ad-hoc manner. In 2016 a $3.5 million gift allowed for BTGA to design the transformation of these spaces into a modern academic building. Our work was focused on making a more welcoming place for students, a more accessible building, and a safer academic environment. The renovation’s design allowed for the preservation of the historic nature of the home and made it a better fit for all members of the Judaic Studies program.

The building’s reconfiguration moved all shared spaces to the first floor, including classrooms, meeting spaces, a new lounge, a new bathroom, the office of the program coordinator and an expanded outdoor patio. This allowed for the most used spaces to be in the most accessible part of the home, creating a center for activity, only leaving private offices on the second and third floors. The new configuration created a social core for the program and a sense of place within the historic building.

Fire safety and accessibility were also sorely lacking prior to the funding gift, so new sprinkler systems were put in place as well as new accessibility measures. A ramp now wraps around the building which melds beautifully with an outdoor patio, providing both an accessible entrance and another first floor space for the community to gather and enjoy.