Allison with Little Diversified Architectural Consulting planned and designed the Duncan Avenue Apartments to meet the University of Arkansas’s sustainability requirements, and the project is the first Green Globes Level 2 facility on the Fayetteville campus.  The site for the apartments presented an outstanding opportunity to create a residential complex that enriches the urban fabric of Fayetteville and preserves an unspoiled sliver of the natural environment.  Direct street access to each unit creates activity along the street, while the rear of the buildings opens to a natural area, planted with native species, and the adjacent wooded site.  The Community Building, which houses a manager’s office and community room, is pulled away from the street edge, creating a courtyard within the site.  Some of the sustainable features of the apartments include the use of a previously developed site, access to natural light and ventilation, energy efficient fixtures throughout, and close proximity to the center of campus with access to city trails and public transportation.

Location: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas

Year Completed:  2008

On the Project:  Chris Hartsfield

In Association with: Little Diversified

Apartments - Green Globes Level 1; Community Building - Green Globes Level 2

Allison, along with HGA Architects, was selected to design the renovation of the historic Field House building on the University of Arkansas Fayetteville campus for use as a performing arts center. The performing arts center will occupy most of the main floor level with sloping audience seating to provide adequate sight lines. Musical instrument and stage storage areas will be at stage level to allow for fast and easy transportation of large items (pianos, percussion, choral risers, chairs, music stands, etc.) to and from the stage. All performer accommodations will be located in the lower level. Part of the existing mezzanine level will be retained to accommodate the necessary control spaces.  Large lobbies on the lower and main levels allow audience circulation and milling at intermissions, and may also be used as event spaces during nonperformance times or for post-performance receptions. An enlarged service/loading entrance in the basement level with an associated elevator behind the stage will allow musical instruments and large scenic units to be brought up to stage level from the loading dock or from the basement. Seat target to be approximately 650-700.  The building is seeking LEED certification.

The new Hillside Auditorium is sited on the University of Arkansas’s campus between the historic Chi Omega Greek Theater and the Ferritor Hall and Science/Engineering buildings, facing Dickson Street. Intended to recede into the landscape, the building employs planted green roofs, which allow the continuation of the natural topography across the site and maintains the prominence of the Greek Theater at the top of the hill. Along with the vegetated roofs, an efficient exterior envelope, and high-efficiency building systems, Hillside Auditorium will meet or exceed established energy use standards and continue the University’s sustainability efforts. This new auditorium building replaced the aging Science and Engineering Auditorium and responds to the University’s current need for large-capacity classroom spaces. There are two auditoria in the building - one of mostly fixed seating for 455 persons with 32 loose seats, and a second of fixed seating for 290 persons. The building was designed to accommodate modest theatrical, spoken word, and musical performances and helps fill a niche not met by existing performance spaces found on campus.  Intended to be the most visible portion of the building, an entrance and event pavilion, enclosed on three sides by high-efficiency glazing, is located on the uppermost-vegetated roof.   The pavilion, which incorporates a catering kitchen, ample public seating, and gathering space, allows for expanded uses of the building and exterior spaces for special events. Entrances to the building at multiple levels and easy access across and through the site provide a connection between both Dickson Street and the nearby parking deck to the heart of campus.  Allison teamed with Perry Dean Rogers Partners Architects on the project.

Read more about Hillside Auditorium on our blog.

Location:  University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas

Year Completed:  2013

On the Project:  Katie Bruhl

In Association with:  Perry Dean Rogers Partners Architects

ASID Regional Silver Award, 2014

AIA Gulf States Regional Merit Award, 2015

LEED Silver

Allison and their consultant, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, were asked by the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith to assist in developing a Long Range Campus Plan looking toward the University’s growing student population and its role as a four-year institution. The first element of the Campus Plan to be realized is the construction of a new 115,830 square foot residential and dining complex. The two residence halls and multi-purpose dining facility were sited to create a traditional collegiate quadrangle on a significant corner of the University campus. The residence halls contain 460 beds in a variety of suite-style room types. Lounges are located on each floor to provide students with small gathering areas and study space. During the evening, the food service areas of the dining facility may be cordoned off, allowing it to serve as a multi-purpose space for social functions and University events. The project attained LEED Silver Certification from the USGBC. Sustainable design elements include LED light fixtures, recycling centers in the residence halls, a bicycle pavilion, and a high-efficiency mechanical system.

Location:  University of Arkansas Fort Smith, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Year Completed:  2010

On the Project:  Katie Bruhl

In Association with:  Little Diversified

ASID Regional Gold Award, 2011

LEED Silver

Originally constructed in 1913, Peabody Hall has long been an icon of the University of Arkansas’ academic mission, housing the

College of Education and at various times a teacher training facility and elementary school. After nearly a century of continuous use, it was in need of a major renovation. Allison Architects and Schwartz/Silver Architects were contracted by the University of Arkansas to restore this important historic resource and renovate it in such a way that it could continue to serve as a hub for training future educators.

Project work included the restoration of the exterior of the building, including the removal of several layers of paint on the original masonry surfaces and new windows and doors that replicate the original appearance of the building. The interior was renovated to provide modern academic and office space to accommodate the current and future needs of the College of Education and Health Professions including: six general purpose classrooms, a computer lab, a technology education lab, and a seminar room; 43 faculty offices and departmental administrative offices; and a café for use by building occupants and the general campus. The previously dirt-floored basement was converted to a lobby and loading/unloading area. Building systems, such as HVAC, AV/IT, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection were also updated to modern standards. A new elevator makes the building completely accessible.

Location:  University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas

Year Completed:  2011

On the Project:  Chris Hartsfield

In Association with:  Schwartz/Silver Architects

Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Award for Renovation, 2011

ASID Regional Silver Award, 2012

City of Fayetteville Best Preservation Practices Award, 2012

LEED Certified