HDR-STV Team to Deliver Modernized Design for West Point’s Historic Thayer Hall
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HDR and STV have been selected to deliver comprehensive architecture and engineering services to modernize Thayer Hall (Building #601) at the United States Military Academy (USMA) in West Point, New York. A historic facility that once trained U.S. Army cadets in horsemanship more than a century ago and later evolved into a vital academic cornerstone, the multistory general instruction building will become the hub for the United States Military Academy’s humanities disciplines. The joint venture, contracted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), will work with the Corps' New England District.
HDR, the largest employee-owned architecture/engineering design firm in the U.S., will collaborate with STV in a joint venture to renovate, retrofit and modernize the facility with resilient infrastructure. HDR will lead architectural design and preservation, while STV will provide engineering services.
“As higher education design experts with long-standing commitments to serving federal clients, HDR brings its integrated, multidisciplinary architectural services to West Point as Thayer Hall modernizes for future generations,” said Doug Wignall, president, architecture, HDR. “With experience preserving historical landmarks, transforming academic campuses and modernizing legacy facilities for a changing world, HDR will deliver a standard-setting design in partnership with STV.”
Thayer Hall is a key component of USMA 2035, West Point’s ambitious plan to modernize its campus facilities, infrastructure and academic capabilities, and the centerpiece of its Academic Building Upgrade Program.
“It’s an incredible honor to partner with West Point as Thayer Hall enters a new era,” said Kim Vierheilig, president of the national Buildings group at STV. “STV brings a powerful combination of higher-ed insight, federal architecture experience and multidisciplinary engineering strength to this project — exactly what’s needed to deliver a modern academic hub worthy of the academy’s world-class cadets and faculty. Alongside HDR, we’re shaping a space designed to inspire and elevate future leaders.”
The project will deconstruct and reconstruct the multistory facility while preserving and rehabilitating key historic elements from the original 1909 structure. Once complete, Thayer Hall will feature two additional floors. The revitalized building will include general instruction classrooms, lecture halls, labs, a library, auditorium, mock courtroom, administrative offices and a variety of student and faculty support spaces. A 1955 addition will be replaced with a modern, compatible extension. The interior design will introduce daylight and support modern pedagogy, creating a more engaging and inspiring environment. The exterior will reflect West Point’s rich heritage and military Gothic architectural style.
About HDR
HDR is a 100% employee-owned professional services firm. Founded over a century ago to bring electricity to a changing world, we are now a global company specializing in architecture, engineering, environmental and construction services. Our success in built and natural environments continues as we collaborate to solve our clients’ and communities’ most complex challenges.
About STV
STV is one of the top infrastructure-focused professional services firms in North America. Founded in 1912, STV advises, plans, designs, engineers and delivers the infrastructure that powers local economies, including transportation systems, buildings, water and other facilities. Headquartered in New York City, the company has more than 65 offices and 3,300 employees who reimagine the solutions and structures that connect our communities. The firm is ranked 34th in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms survey and is 11th in its transportation category. Learn more at stvinc.com.
