The project: Steven D. Bell Hall is a transformative 212,239-sf six-story expansion and renovation for the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The project includes new academic, event, social, and student life spaces, plus renovations to the existing McColl Building, connected via pedestrian and vehicular bridges.

The goal: The project aimed to increase undergraduate business enrollment by up to 50% and provide adaptable classrooms, case competition venues, outdoor tiered teaching, and a four-story atrium for student activity. It also integrates collaboration lounges, dining, and outdoor terraces with a focus on mental and physical well-being.

The design:

• Structural framework: Long-span steel beams and girders create open, flexible classrooms and auditorium spaces.
• Connectivity: Elevated walkways and trussed pedestrian bridges link Bell Hall to McColl Building and the adjacent parking deck.
• Siting & aesthetics: Nestled against woodland, the building features glass facades, open-air terraces, and pathways that blend natural surroundings with interior spaces.
• Solar infrastructure: Roof-mounted photovoltaic array supported by structural frame to deliver onsite renewable energy.

Sustainability: The addition is designed to LEED Platinum standards (baseline LEED Gold), aligned with UNC’s Three Zeroes initiative (net zero water, zero waste, zero GHG emissions), and aiming for three-star Fitwel certification.

The outcome: Construction for this project began in March 2023 and is slated for completion in fall 2025, with classes beginning in January 2026. The renovations to the McColl Building will continue into 2026.

*photo copyright to LS3P