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The original three-story auditorium is now a stunning 150-seat event hall and lecture space with restored moldings, arched windows and curvilinear ceiling.

 The original three-story auditorium is now a stunning 150-seat event hall and lecture space with restored moldings, arched windows and curvilinear ceiling.

The Hayes Hall Gallery, a two-story atrium, serves as the school’s front door. The removal of interior walls created a bright, open and inviting space for events and presentations, and the state-of- the-art projection system was designed to never need replacement bulbs.

 The Hayes Hall Gallery, a two-story atrium, serves as the school’s front door. The removal of interior walls created a bright, open and inviting space for events and presentations, and the state-of- the-art projection system was designed to never need replacement bulbs.

Casual spaces for socializing and studying were built into Hayes’ new design.

 Casual spaces for socializing and studying were built into Hayes’ new design.

On the second and third floors, hallways were widened and brightened, while glass-walled offices share natural light and encourage interaction. Modular walls and rolling furniture allow for flexible, spontaneous changes to the building’s layout.

 On the second and third floors, hallways were widened and brightened, while glass-walled offices share natural light and encourage interaction. Modular walls and rolling furniture allow for flexible, spontaneous changes to the building’s layout.

Swivel lighting and pinup-ready walls throughout the school create instant exhibition spaces for student and faculty work.

 Swivel lighting and pinup-ready walls throughout the school create instant exhibition spaces for student and faculty work.

Exposed wooden trusses flank bright skylights in the fourth-floor attic spaces, which now host critiques and coveted graduate studios.

 Exposed wooden trusses flank bright skylights in the fourth-floor attic spaces, which now host critiques and coveted graduate studios.

The iconic clock tower can be seen from this fourth-floor space through a skylight.

 The iconic clock tower can be seen from this fourth-floor space through a skylight.

A state-of-the-art lecture hall on the first floor of the building, which dates back to the 1800s.

 A state-of-the-art lecture hall on the first floor of the building, which dates back to the 1800s.

Spaces are designed to facilitate creative thinking. Here, an office on the first floor.

 Spaces are designed to facilitate creative thinking. Here, an office on the first floor.

The $42 million renovation and restoration is a key component of UB’s vision for the South Campus. This picture shows part of the dean’s office.

 The $42 million renovation and restoration is a key component of UB’s vision for the South Campus. This picture shows part of the dean’s office.

A work area inside the dean’s suite. The building is designed for Gold certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system.

 A work area inside the dean’s suite. The building is designed for Gold certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system.

Flexible space on the second floor overlooking the lobby.

 Flexible space on the second floor overlooking the lobby.

An alcove and common space on the second floor. Curved plasterwork around some of the windows has been preserved.

 An alcove and common space on the second floor. Curved plasterwork around some of the windows has been preserved.

Lecture space on the third floor.

 Lecture space on the third floor.

On the fourth floor, classrooms framed by huge arched windows will sit alongside loft-style studios featuring skylights that look on to Hayes’ iconic, white clock tower.

 On the fourth floor, classrooms framed by huge arched windows will sit alongside loft-style studios featuring skylights that look on to Hayes’ iconic, white clock tower.

The fourth-floor attic, formerly unused, has been reclaimed and can be used for lectures and events. It offers a fantastic view.

 The fourth-floor attic, formerly unused, has been reclaimed and can be used for lectures and events. It offers a fantastic view.

The mix of old and new reflects the creative redesign of buildings happening throughout Buffalo as the region undergoes a period of revitalization.

 The mix of old and new reflects the creative redesign of buildings happening throughout Buffalo as the region undergoes a period of revitalization.

A stairwell inside the building, which is an icon of the South Campus and steps away from University Station, a public transit hub.

 A stairwell inside the building, which is an icon of the South Campus and steps away from University Station, a public transit hub.

A second-floor hallway where faculty and staff offices are located.

 A second-floor hallway where faculty and staff offices are located.

A fourth floor space where students' work can be displayed and critiqued.

 A fourth floor space where students' work can be displayed and critiqued.

New faculty offices are bright and modern.

 New faculty offices are bright and modern.

The dean’s suite is a showcase for design-build improvements throughout Hayes.

 The dean’s suite is a showcase for design-build improvements throughout Hayes.
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By Lauren Newkirk Maynard | Photographs by Douglas Levere

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At the School of Architecture and Planning’s fall welcome in 2014, Dean Robert Shibley stood in front of Edmund B. Hayes Hall, still crammed with scaffolding inside. Gesturing to the freshly painted clock tower, he told faculty, students and parents, “We’ve waited long enough, folks… we’re going home.”

Today, following a five-year, $43.9 million capital project to reimagine the school from its roots up, Hayes has been transformed from the stately shell of a former almshouse into a sleek, sustainable hub for hands-on learning, and a living gallery for design and practice. As the school celebrates Hayes’ recent induction into the National Register of Historic Places and prepares for its grand opening gala this fall, At Buffalo shares some highlights of this remarkable makeover.

Restoration in progress:

Did You Know?

The reclaimed, mixed-wood lumber used in the flooring of the dean’s suite was sourced within 50 miles of the South Campus.

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Carol Goodson

I had a class in Hayes Hall--I think it was Sociology--must have been around 1966.  I also remember spending the night in that building during a student sit-in... I brought my books with me because we were getting close to Finals :-)

James Frederick Wallace, BA 1971, MA 1975

Way to go UB. You make me more proud to be a UB Alumnus as you grow more beautiful time and space.

Keep on growing strong in our UB Motto: "Let Each Become All That He(She) Is Capable Of Being..." B'Shalom