flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Turner-led team wraps women’s residence reno at Alabama A&M

Higher Education

Turner-led team wraps women’s residence reno at Alabama A&M

This is the latest of numerous projects in Huntsville that the GC has engaged over the past 65 years.


By John Caulfield, Senior Editor | July 20, 2019

The renovation of Thigpen Hall on the campus of Alabama A&M University included a complete makeover of the residential hall's ceilings, bathrooms, and flooring. Image: Turner Construction

Last month, a building team managed by Turner Construction completed a $3.12 renovation of Emily Thigpen Hall, a 30,000-sf, three-story women’s residence hall on the Huntsville campus of Alabama A&M University.

The renovation didn’t alter the building’s basic footprint, and the construction crews took care to maintain its historical exterior. The building’s original ceilings, bathrooms, and flooring were demolished and then updated with modern finishes.

Turner has been the university’s construction manager, and essentially its owner’s rep, since 2016. The building team on the Thigpen Hall project included Nola Van Peursem Architects, Moody Nolan, Lee Builders, Mims Engineering, and EE Group. The project, whose construction started in July 2018, was brought in on time and under budget, according to Turner.

“Turner has not only worked to restore and modernize Thigpen Hall, one of the historic structures on the campus, thus demonstrating the university's commitment to historic preservation, but they also continue to invest in the future of Alabama A&M by providing our students with practical experience,” said AAMU President Dr. Andrew Hugine Jr.

According to a spokesperson, Turner has been working with alumni and interns from Alabama A&M on all of its projects for the university.

Since opening its office in Huntsville in 1955, Turner has been involved in numerous local buildings, including the Davidson Center for Space Exploration and its freestanding Saturn V rocket, the Huntsville Botanical Garden Welcome Center, the Von Braun Center, ADTRAN, Torch Technologies, Davidson Technologies, the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce, and the Huntsville Public Library.

It is currently in preconstruction for AAMU’s new events center and arena.

Emily Thigpen Hall is named after the Dean of Women for Alabama A&M College from 1944 through 1951.

Related Stories

Engineers | Jun 14, 2023

The high cost of low maintenance

Walter P Moore’s Javier Balma, PhD, PE, SE, and Webb Wright, PE, identify the primary causes of engineering failures, define proactive versus reactive maintenance, recognize the reasons for deferred maintenance, and identify the financial and safety risks related to deferred maintenance.

University Buildings | Jun 14, 2023

Calif. State University’s new ‘library-plus’ building bridges upper and lower campuses

A three-story “library-plus” building at California State University, East Bay (CSUEB) that ties together the upper and lower campuses was recently completed. The 100,977-sf facility, known as the Collaborative Opportunities for Research & Engagement (“CORE”) Building, is one of the busiest libraries in the CSU system. The previous library served 1.2 million visitors annually.

Higher Education | Jun 14, 2023

Designing higher education facilities without knowing the end users

A team of architects with Page offers five important factors to consider when designing spaces for multiple—and potentially changing—stakeholders.

University Buildings | Jun 9, 2023

Cornell’s new information science building will foster dynamic exchange of ideas and quiet, focused research

Construction recently began on Cornell University’s new 135,000-sf building for the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science (Cornell Bowers CIS). The structure will bring together the departments of Computer Science, Information Science, and Statistics and Data Science for the first time in one complex.

Student Housing | Jun 5, 2023

The power of student engagement: How on-campus student housing can increase enrollment

Studies have confirmed that students are more likely to graduate when they live on campus, particularly when the on-campus experience encourages student learning and engagement, writes Design Collaborative's Nathan Woods, AIA.

Sports and Recreational Facilities | May 30, 2023

How design supports a more holistic approach to training

For today’s college athletes, training is no longer about cramming team practices and weight lifting sessions in between classes.

Higher Education | May 24, 2023

Designing spaces that promote enrollment

Alyson Mandeville, Higher Education Practice Leader, argues that colleges and universities need to shift their business model—with the help of designers.

University Buildings | May 17, 2023

New UC Irvine health sciences building supports aim to become national model for integrative health

The new College of Health Sciences Building and Nursing & Health Sciences Hall at the University of California Irvine supports the institution’s goal of becoming a national model for integrative health. The new 211,660-sf facility houses nursing, medical doctorate, pharmacy, philosophy, and public health programs in a single building.

University Buildings | May 11, 2023

New ‘bold and twisting’ building consolidates School of Continuing Studies at York University

The design of a new building that consolidates York University’s School of Continuing Studies into one location is a new architectural landmark at the Toronto school’s Keele Campus. “The design is emblematic of the school’s identity and culture, which is centered around accelerated professional growth in the face of a continuously evolving labor market,” according to a news release from Perkins&Will.

Digital Twin | May 8, 2023

What AEC professionals should know about digital twins

A growing number of AEC firms and building owners are finding value in implementing digital twins to unify design, construction, and operational data.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category


Mass Timber

Bjarke Ingels Group designs a mass timber cube structure for the University of Kansas

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and executive architect BNIM have unveiled their design for a new mass timber cube structure called the Makers’ KUbe for the University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design. A six-story, 50,000-sf building for learning and collaboration, the light-filled KUbe will house studio and teaching space, 3D-printing and robotic labs, and a ground-level cafe, all organized around a central core.



halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021