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The main academic building on the Annapolis campus, Mellon Hall stands out against a backdrop of colonial architecture, but this midcentury modernist building has its own historical significance: it was designed by famed architect Richard Neutra and is one of the few remaining Neutra creations on the East Coast.

The original construction included classrooms, laboratories, the Francis Scott Key Auditorium, and the McKeldin Planetarium. Subsequent renovations created the Elizabeth Myers Mitchell Art Museum (formerly the Mitchell Gallery) and the gathering area affectionately known as the Fishbowl. Apart from a conference room, however, no new programmatic space was added over a six-decade period; and despite Neutra’s own hope that Mellon Hall would be the creative hub of campus life, the building offered limited space for music and the arts.

In 2020, the college enlisted three firms—including David M. Schwarz Architects, owned by alum David Schwarz (A78)—to expand Mellon Hall’s academic spaces and provide inspiring areas for study, collaboration, and creative pursuits.

As of Spring 2023, Mellon Hall now includes the following features:

Welcoming Commons Area

The lobby has been transformed from a relatively empty and underutilized space into a comfortably furnished commons area that is suitable for small gatherings and private study but flexible enough to accommodate larger events. Greater ADA accessibility and the inclusion of gender-neutral restrooms are among the many other improvements that foster a more welcoming environment in the commons area and throughout Mellon Hall.

Acoustically Enhanced Conversation Room

Acoustics were an important factor in the redesign of the Conversation Room, the central meeting space for the entire campus community. In addition to 50 percent more seating, the room contains new design elements, including a convex ceiling and padded wall paneling, that minimize echoes and reduce outside noise.

Comfortable Places to Gather and Study

With warm design elements, plush furnishings, and a crackling fire, the Fishbowl has become a more inviting and intimate lounge, where students can meet for conversation, have coffee with a tutor, or spend quiet time with a book.

Space for Music and the Arts

Creative expression is central to a St. John’s education. In addition to studying music as part of a liberal arts curriculum, students can participate in a flourishing extracurricular arts program that includes the St. John’s Chorus, numerous bands, and the student theatre troupe, the King William Players. To address the need for performance space, a portion of the auditorium’s backstage has become a light-filled studio that converts to a black-box theatre when the full-perimeter ceiling-to-floor curtains are drawn.

Sustainable Infrastructure

More than half the funding for the renovation was devoted to making Mellon Hall more energy efficient. HVAC, electric, lighting, and plumbing systems were all upgraded with an eye to conserving energy and water. Daylight and occupancy sensors allow for better control of lighting—and costs.

Historic Preservation

Over the past six decades, Mellon Hall had lost some of Richard Neutra’s signature design elements. Examples include his exterior planter with low-level plantings and the expansive glass exposure that connects inner and outside spaces. These design features have been carefully restored, most notably in the new commons area.

Outdoor Terrace (under construction)

An outside terrace will transform Mellon Hall’s front entrance into a daytime activity and gathering area that can also accommodate campus events. The terrace will eventually be joined by additional outdoor seating as part of the Campbell Hall renovation (scheduled for 2023-2024).