Merrifield Hall renovation blends old school charm, modern conveniences

One of UND’s most important academic buildings, Merrifield Hall opens doors after two years of renovations

UND’s Merrifield Hall, one of the most iconic buildings on campus, has officially reopened for the spring semester after closing in the winter of 2022 for renovation.

The newly renovated building blends the historic collegiate Gothic architecture and design that many students and faculty hold dear with modern conveniences to ensure the building remains for decades a hub of learning.

Preserving the past, building the future

Built in 1929, Merrifield Hall has been home to various College of Arts & Sciences departments for nearly a century. Over the years, thousands of students and faculty have developed a deep affection for the building. The renovation preserved key features such as the terrazzo flooring, stairwells and large windows on the north and south ends of the building, which are favorite study spots for many students.

“We wanted to maintain the historical feel of the building and some of its important architectural elements,” said Brad Rundquist, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. “At the same time, we wanted the renovation to provide more modern and attractive spaces for learning and research.”

There are spaces, particularly the staircases leading up from the entrances on the north and south ends of the building, where one may not notice how much the building has been transformed. That’s because Merrifield’s signature terrazzo flooring and stairwells with their aged metal handrails still harken back to the Merrifield of old.

But Les Bjore, director of planning and design at Facilities, noted that the seamless blend of old and new was the product of careful planning and hard work from Facilities and the Planning and Steering committees.

“Probably the most incredible detail of craftsmanship is the center railing at the existing stairs,” he said. “This railing needed to be raised approximately 8 inches to be code compliant. Its extension used existing and new material and left the years of wear on the now-upper railing. It’s remarkable.”

Bjore cited the collegiate gothic entries, bay windows and rooftop flag poles as other components that prioritized preservation. And in many cases, the preservation of these elements influenced the design of the new additions.

“The existing terrazzo floors are complimented by a ceiling design that reproduces their pattern and design, as well as an overall color palate throughout that enhances these floors,” he said.

But the deliberate reverence for Merrifield’s past simply supplements the updates to rest of the building.

Updated aesthetics

A cozy nook with couches and a fireplace greets visitors walking through the new, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramp entrance at the center of the building’s east side. Just above, on the first floor, the new home of the Honors program is front and center, with large windows running the length of the room reminiscent of the Memorial Union Gallery.

As one walks through the halls, the renovation starts to shine. The tall ceilings and abundant natural light are a welcome change from Merrifield’s previously dim and cramped aesthetic. Art also lines the hallways.

Curated by Sarah Heitkamp, curator and director of the UND Art Collections, each piece of art neatly matches the theme of the department to which it is closest. French and German art are hung by the offices of the Language & Global Studies faculty, for example, and woodcut prints are inspired by Kafka’s “The Trial” abut the English department. On the bottom floor, posters from every year of the Writers Conference adorn the walls.

The clean aesthetic of the halls and artwork gives the place the feeling of a gallery or museum. Branching off from them are miniature departmental libraries, conference rooms and, just beyond those, large study spaces with desks, couches and chairs.

New classrooms provide flexibility

In addition to the aesthetic updates and communal spots, Merrifield Hall’s learning spaces also have been revitalized. Classrooms are equipped with modern tech such as cameras for hybrid classes, and experimental classrooms will allow faculty to quickly swap out technology to adapt to academic needs.

“There was faculty involvement in the design of the whole building, everything from the floor plans to furniture we selected,” Rundquist said. “The new experimental classrooms were no different. There was a lot of input about how those could be used.”

“The thing that’s different about the experimental classrooms is we didn’t build them with a particular use in mind,” he said. “They were built in such a way that we could use them as a testbed for new teaching technology. They’re flexible spaces, and our vision is that we can swap things in and out as needed.”

While Merrifield Hall is home to several disciplines within the College of Arts & Sciences, its classrooms and collaborative spaces will be a shared resource for departments across campus, Rundquist said.

Asked for his favorite update, Rundquist pointed to the third-floor lecture hall, where he has taught several classes and which got a significant overhaul.

“I’ve taught in that lecture hall multiple times before the renovation,” he said. “Seeing how it’s been transformed into a much more attractive and effective space is incredible.”

A piece of the mustard-yellow carpet that used to, oddly and famously, wrap around the top of some classrooms now is framed near the entrance, one of many gestures that emphasizes the care taken in preserving what made Merrifield a campus staple.

Upgrade a hit with faculty, staff and students

Now that spring semester classes have begun, students, staff and faculty have had a few days to acclimate to the renovations, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

Brenden Kimpe, an English student in his fifth year at UND, says that while he found a certain charm in Merrifield’s archaic interior, he appreciates the updates.

“I always liked the old Merrifield. I thought that it had this old academia feel that I found comforting,” Kimpe said. “But I’ll say that they did a great job of retaining some of the charm while making it modern and functional.”

Kimpe, who works with the English Department’s student-run literary magazine Floodwall, also mentioned that new spaces — such as the lab in Room 22 on Merrifield’s bottom floor — have Mac computers, making it useful for students to work on digital production and publishing without leaving the building.

Melissa Gjellstad, professor and director of the Norwegian language program, similarly praised the updates.

“It’s been great,” she said. “Our offices and classrooms are beautiful; we have elevators now, so the building is much more accessible. And we have bathrooms on every floor now, which is wonderful.

“I feel like I’m only using superlatives, but it really does feel great,” she said with a laugh.

Gjellstad’s department, Languages & Global Studies, is particularly excited about the Cafe for Active Language Learning (CALL), a marquee addition to Merrifield. Designed with the department’s input, the CALL features a full kitchen in addition to a large couch and cafe-style seating so students can enjoy international cuisine and practice language skills. The department plans to host events such as the Global Speaker Series in the CALL in addition to traditional classes, Gjellstad said.

Looking toward the future

The renovations have given Kristin Ellwanger, office manager for the English Department, a chance to reflect on her connection to Merrifield Hall. Having grown up coming to Merrifield to visit her mother, who worked there, Ellwanger felt a connection to the building.

“My family has a long legacy in Merrifield, and so I think I took it harder than anybody in the building,” she said. “I was crushed — devastated.

“But I was able to put that part of Merrifield in a certain part of my heart, and it’s safe there now. This is just a new beginning,” she added. “It feels good, and I think that’s because they were really considerate of keeping the things that mattered to people. They showed a lot of respect for the building.”

UND will host a ribbon-cutting and grand opening event in the fall, inviting the campus and the greater Grand Forks community to explore the revitalized space. Until then, students and faculty already are enjoying the building’s fresh look and feel as classes have resumed.

For a closer look at Merrifield’s past and present, check out this photo and video feature. Also, enjoy the video below, which showcases the renovations.