Two of the South Lawn's three planned academic buildings opened for classes Wednesday, providing additional space for classrooms and offices, University Architect David Neuman said.
The history department has moved into Nau Hall, while politics and religious studies faculty members are now located in Gibson Hall.
"Both buildings have been designed to suit the culture and needs of the three departments and to bring students, faculty and staff together in real comfort," said Anna Towns, director of space planning and management.
Each department now has two offices, outfitted with work and lounge spaces, for graduate students and teaching assistants, Towns said. Two student study lounges in the South Lawn's courtyard will be available for use by graduate and honors students, as well as students in special programs.
Additional student space is expected to open this fall with the completion of the Commons building, the next piece of the South Lawn Project. It will add a new 250-seat lecture hall, 60-seat classrooms, lounge spaces, a cafe, and a group study and meeting space, she said. Neuman said these new additions will allow departments to hire new faculty, and the University will be able to expand its student body.
The South Lawn Project, to date, has been under budget and ahead of schedule, he said. The funds and work that have gone into the project so far, Neuman said, are "really producing an excellent and essential building that will be here for centuries."
Students and faculty may also soon see classroom improvements at New Cabell Hall, which is awaiting funding to undergo renovations. After funding is approved, classes currently held in New Cabell Hall will be moved to buildings vacated by departments that relocated to the South Lawn, Neuman said.
The University has thus far been excited about the new buildings, Neuman said. "The impressions I've gotten are pretty positive," he said.
Politics Prof. Jeffrey Legro said faculty members have been enjoying their new offices and classrooms. "People like the space and design of the buildings [and] are happy with the common space, the shelf space and the furnishings in the offices," he said.
Neuman said the South Lawn is close to final completion and will be fully occupied when the Commons building opens this fall.
- Amanda Morgan and Kate Colwell contributed to this article.
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