Opened in 1953, Bowman Hall has anchored Bridgewater College’s academic life for generations, housing seven undergraduate and three graduate programs. After 70 years of continuous service, however, outdated systems and rigid layouts no longer aligned with the dynamic, tech-rich culture that the College champions today.
Client
Bridgewater College
Location
Bridgewater, Virginia
Key Contact
Kenneth Mayer
Photographer
QPH Photography
Completed
2025
Size
42,646 sq. ft.
Cost
$8.5 M
Services
Architecture, Interior Design, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Plumbing Engineering
To reconcile this, our Higher Education practice team led a comprehensive two-phase overhaul that reimagined each classroom, office and lab, preparing Bowman Hall for the next era of learning.
Adaptability guided the transformation: classrooms were right-sized and equipped with modular furnishings, abundant device charging and flat screens to support all pedagogies, from traditional lectures to project-based work. Study lounges, advising suites and collaboration zones strengthen peer-to-peer engagement and faculty–student mentorship, while updated labs and a 148-seat tiered classroom create additional opportunities for discovery at every level.
Behind the walls, the project also addressed critical infrastructure to uphold performance. Key components include new mechanical and electrical systems; a partial plumbing replacement; and contemporary fire protection and alarms. Restrooms were reconfigured for ADA compliance and exterior improvements—a roof replacement, main entrance upgrades and modern security systems—reaffirm the building’s role as a functional and symbolic academic hub.
Construction was carefully sequenced to minimize disruption to campus life, underscoring Bridgewater’s commitment to maintaining academic continuity while investing in long-term growth.
Now complete, Bowman Hall is both a statement of identity and a catalyst for progress across the realms of business administration, digital media, economics and more—a forward-thinking environment that fuels ingenuity and the enduring connections that define a Bridgewater education.
