Shriner Hall has been a central residence hall at Hood College since its construction in 1913. The Georgian Revival building holds an important place within the historic campus, but its infrastructure and residential amenities required renewal to support contemporary student life. Hood College undertook a careful renovation to preserve the character of the residence hall while improving accessibility, building performance, and the quality of shared student spaces. O Z Collaborative led the restoration and renovation of the building with an approach focused on subtle and thoughtful intervention. Exterior work included extensive masonry repair and repointing, installation of new windows, and repairs to the slate roof. A new landscaped entry plaza and accessible second entrance improved campus connectivity while creating a welcoming arrival sequence.

Interior work focused on preserving the building’s historic character while strengthening the spaces that support residential life. Social spaces were expanded and improved to encourage interaction among students, while new bathrooms and updated finishes enhanced comfort and functionality throughout the building. Equally significant were the improvements to the building’s infrastructure. The project introduced entirely new mechanical, electrical, and life-safety systems while carefully integrating them within the historic structure. A new elevator was also installed, providing full accessibility to all five floors of the residence hall. Through these interventions, Shriner Hall has been renewed as a historic residence hall that continues to support the evolving needs of Hood College students while preserving the architectural character that defines the campus.