Kimball Hall at College of the Holy Cross

Kimball Hall's Main Dining Room has long been a central gathering place on the College of the Holy Cross’s historic Worcester campus. But the sea of original communal tables did not support the changing ways that students wish to gather. Bergmeyer worked closely with the College to create a dining environment that honors its architectural legacy while making it more welcoming, functional, and adaptable to contemporary students' needs.

A key focus of the renovation was expanding seating options to offer greater flexibility and inclusivity with minimal cost and impact to operations. The introduction of prefabricated “furniture walls” sponsoring booths and banquettes allowed the space to be subdivided while maintaining the legibility of the original dining hall and not impacting lighting, mechanical, or fire protection systems. The different seating zones, like the daily menu rotation, now reinforce student choice and agency, critical to student satisfaction with their campus environments. The new mix of seating types, which retains some of the historic communal tables, offers a range of booths, banquettes, lounge seating, and counter seating for more private, small groups, and focused interactions. Whether they’re sharing a meal with friends, studying between classes, or grabbing a quick bite alone, the redesigned hall supports the spectrum of social experiences.

Thoughtful material choices included protecting the original marble floors with new resilient herringbone-patterned flooring. This nod to history provides a more maintainable surface that also reduces noise reverberation, a request from students. Modern touches have been introduced through paint, furnishings and upholstery, which further addresses the sound reverberation challenges of the original space. The careful preservation of original architectural details alongside these contemporary furnishings and colors ensures the refreshed environment feels both timeless and relevant.

The revitalized Kimball Hall strengthens its role as a dynamic, inclusive gathering place where daily meals, conversations, and traditions continue to unfold. By balancing historic preservation with thoughtful updates, the project creates a more inviting, adaptable environment that supports the diverse ways students connect and engage with their campus community.