A number of recent additions to the Law School faculty have prompted the creation of new offices. With ongoing construction and renovation nearing completion, spaces should be available for faculty to move into this summer.
Work on Roberts Hall, a wing of offices on the north side of the Law School complex at 34th and Chestnut streets, was initially approved by the University Board of Trustees at its meeting in February 2002 for $3.6 million. However, after some changes in design and complications involving asbestos removal, funding was later approved for $3.9 million.
"Right now, we're likely to come in under budget," Chairman of the Law School Building Committee Bruce Mann said.
Last summer, minor renovations to the third floor of the Biddle Law Library in Tanenbaum Hall created 10 new offices to temporarily accommodate faculty during the Roberts Hall renovations.
Meanwhile, work on Roberts Hall began last fall and has continued throughout the academic year. The project, drawn up by architects Muscoe Martin of Susan Maxman and Partners and David Ade, calls for gutting and renovating the old office spaces. A small addition is also being built to provide several new offices.
When complete, a renovated Roberts Hall combined with the space provided by the addition will provide 20 office spaces for faculty -- a net gain of six new offices. As a result, the space on the third floor of Biddle Law Library will likely serve as administrative offices, student study space and seminar rooms.
"The offices are temporary only in the sense that faculty are temporarily there," Mann said. "Once the faculty move into the renovated spaces, those offices will be converted to other uses."
Officials say the project is progressing well.
"Construction began last fall and, despite some weather-related delays because of the unexpectedly severe winter, is moving along very nicely and very close to schedule," Mann wrote in an e-mail.
Construction is on track and will be completed in June. After several weeks of cleanup, the offices should be set for faculty to move in by mid-July, according to Mann.
