{"id":158411,"date":"2019-09-10T02:02:02","date_gmt":"2019-09-09T23:02:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ww-vb.mine.nu\/w108\/vanderbilt-divinity-school-expansion-features-water-wood-and-light-vanderbilt-news\/"},"modified":"2019-09-10T02:02:02","modified_gmt":"2019-09-09T23:02:02","slug":"vanderbilt-divinity-school-expansion-features-water-wood-and-light-vanderbilt-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/vanderbilt-divinity-school-expansion-features-water-wood-and-light-vanderbilt-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Vanderbilt Divinity School expansion features water, wood and light | Vanderbilt News"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Divinity School now has a centralized entrance and lobby that facilitates the school\u2019s mission to be welcoming to the community. (Anne Rayner\/Vanderbilt University)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Faculty, staff, students and friends gathered at the Vanderbilt Divinity School to witness the dedication and ribbon cutting for the school\u2019s much anticipated new expansion.<\/p>\n

The $11.5 million three-year renovation project includes a 13,641-square-foot addition that is fully accessible and awash with natural light. The three-story addition has five new classrooms with smart technology, expanded and updated conference rooms, renovated office space, a new multi-faith chapel and a terrace for quiet reflection.\u00a0Making use of repurposed materials and other environmental features, it is projected to achieve LEED silver certification.<\/p>\n

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Interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente (left) celebrated the ribbon cutting with Dean Emilie M. Townes. (Susan Urmy\/Vanderbilt University)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation helped launch the renovation with a $2.8 million gift. The new addition will be known as the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation Wing. The foundation\u2019s previous support of the Divinity School includes creating scholarships, endowing faculty chairs\u00a0and the establishment of the Carpenter Program in Religion, Gender and Sexuality.<\/p>\n

The new spaces were designed by Gilbert, McLaughlin, Casella Architects, and Orion Building Corporation served as construction manager.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor decades the Vanderbilt Divinity School has exemplified our university\u2019s mission of service while shaping ministry and bringing about social justice,\u201d said Interim Chancellor and Provost\u00a0Susan R. Wente. \u201cIn these new inviting and welcoming spaces people will be able to engage in civil dialogue and discourse and learn how to become more engaged citizens. I can think of nothing more important that we need to be doing together.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis is our gift to the world \u2013 a physical space that reflects a sacred mission \u2026 a place to make good the talents that we\u2019ve been given by the Holy.\u201d
\u2013Dean Emilie Townes<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This is the first renovation of the Divinity School since 1960, and in recent years it became clear the\u00a0building no longer met the university\u2019s standards for teaching or its goals for inclusivity and collaboration.<\/p>\n

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A commissioned tree sculpture and the sounds of water greet visitors as they enter the new wing. (Susan Urmy\/Vanderbilt University)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThis began in October 2013, my first year as dean, and I did not see myself as a builder,\u201d said Dean\u00a0Emilie M. Townes, the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of Womanist Ethics and Society, as she addressed those gathered in the new multi-purpose worship space. \u201cBut then I watched students interact in our classrooms, and the faculty struggle to teach in our classrooms and I thought, \u2018We\u2019ve got to do something.\u2019 This is our gift to the nation and the world \u2014 a physical space that reflects a sacred mission. This space makes people better than who they are, and provides a place to make good the talents that we\u2019ve been given by the Holy.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the most significant changes to the facility is the creation of an accessible and distinguishable main entrance and lobby fronting 21st Avenue. This ingress facilitates the school\u2019s mission to serve as a welcoming gathering place for the community, regardless of faith or creed.<\/p>\n

The focal point upon entering is a commissioned tree sculpture and water wall, symbolizing growth and universal connection. Framed by an existing masonry arch, the tree is composed of stainless steel, with its leaves crafted of copper salvaged from one of the former side entrances.<\/p>\n

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A blue granite pathway leads guests from the water feature all the way to the garden. (Anne Rayner\/Vanderbilt University)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWater and wood are powerful symbols of cleansing and rebirth in sacred architecture, so we wanted to incorporate those into the design,\u201d said Kent McLaughlin of Gilbert, McLaughlin, Casella Architects. \u201cWe really wanted that to be the first thing people experienced: the sculptural tree with the sound of water running through its branches and its leaves, and the roots extending down into the pool.\u201d<\/p>\n

A blue granite pathway leads visitors from the water feature across the lobby, into the new worship space, and ultimately out to the garden. The path is intersected by 12 black granite tiles engraved with words that exemplify the Divinity School\u2019s vision for its students and guests, such as \u201cpeace,\u201d \u201cjoy\u201d and \u201cwonder.\u201d<\/p>\n

The multi-faith worship space is the epicenter of the school, its chancel framed by a rustic wood-stacked wall, invoking warmth and a sense of nature. Tall colorful glass windows face southward offering views of the stained glass of Benton Chapel, reminding visitors of the school\u2019s long-held tradition of ministry and social justice in the Nashville community.<\/p>\n

Alumni may recall the tradition of graduating students taking photographs by a stone pediment engraved with the Latin term \u201cschola prophetarum,\u201d or \u201cschool of prophets.\u201d<\/p>\n

That architectural piece was salvaged and is prominently featured in the main stairwell of the building addition, along with a distinctive pendant light fixture also reclaimed from the prior space.<\/p>\n

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Bruce R. Evans, chairman of the Board of Trust, addressed the gathering. (Susan Urmy\/Vanderbilt University)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The design plan accommodated a cherished beech tree on the north side of the courtyard, which claims multiple outdoor nooks for quiet contemplation and solitary reflection. The exterior of the addition mimics the original structure with the inclusion of reclaimed limestone and handmade brick. Bruce R. Evans, chairman of the Vanderbilt University Board of Trust, recounted to the gathering his own experience as a Vanderbilt engineering student who often spent hours studying in the Divinity School\u2019s quiet courtyard, recalling that the divinity students were always welcoming.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Divinity School is the spiritual center, the moral compass of the university, and the place where students can come to learn about ethical issues and the social justice issues of the day,\u201d Evans said. \u201cAs a university we\u2019re enriched by the presence of the Divinity School, and this renovation leaves our divinity school better positioned to fulfill its role within the university.\u201d<\/p>\n

The renovation is part of a 10-year plan to provide accessible spaces, innovative classrooms and welcoming spaces for dialogue, scholarship and reflection.<\/p>\n

When the Vanderbilt Divinity School first opened its doors in 1875, it was named Vanderbilt University\u2019s Biblical Department.<\/p>\n

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One of the most significant parts of the renovation is the creation of an accessible and distinguishable main entrance and lobby fronting 21st Avenue. (Anne Rayner\/Vanderbilt) <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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The focal point upon entering is a commissioned tree sculpture and water wall. (Susan Urmy\/Vanderbilt) <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The Blair School of Music provided a brass quintet for the ribbon cutting Aug. 23. (Susan Urmy\/Vanderbilt) <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente (left) and Dean Emilie M. Townes addressed guests at the ribbon cutting (Susan Urmy\/Vanderbilt) <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The renovation includes five new classrooms with smart technology, expanded and updated conference rooms and renovated office space. (Anne Rayner\/Vanderbilt) <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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In the new worship space, tall colorful glass windows face southward offering views of the stained glass of Benton Chapel. (Anne Rayner\/Vanderbilt) <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"A <\/p>\n

A blue granite pathway is intersected by 12 black granite tiles engraved with words that exemplify the Divinity School\u2019s mission. (Anne Rayner\/Vanderbilt) <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"The <\/p>\n

The addition is fully accessible, and is projected to achieve LEED silver certification. The design makes use of natural light, reclaimed stone and salvaged copper and wood. (Anne Rayner\/Vanderbilt) <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"The <\/p>\n

The E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation helped launch the renovation with a generous $2.8 million gift. (Anne Rayner\/Vanderbilt) <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The historic stone pediment engraved with the Latin term \u201cschola prophetarum,\u201d or \u201cschool of prophets,\u201d was salvaged and is prominently featured in the main stairwell. (Anne Rayner\/Vanderbilt) <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Design <\/p>\n

Design by Gilbert, McLaughlin, Casella Architects; construction by Orion Building Corporation. (Anne Rayner\/Vanderbilt) <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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[ad_1] The Divinity School now has a centralized entrance and lobby that facilitates the school\u2019s mission to be welcoming to the community. (Anne Rayner\/Vanderbilt University) Faculty, staff, students and friends gathered at the Vanderbilt Divinity School to witness the dedication and ribbon cutting for the school\u2019s much anticipated new expansion. The $11.5 million three-year renovation …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":158418,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[98404,111017,111018,105898,33496,814,96181,49091,92250,99595,5705,92251,111019,111020,92252],"class_list":["post-158411","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tie-world","tag-chancellor","tag-e-rhodes-and-leona-b-carpenter-foundation","tag-emilie-townes","tag-featured-story","tag-nashville","tag-news","tag-office-of-the-provost","tag-research","tag-social-stories","tag-susan-r-wente","tag-university","tag-vanderbilt","tag-vanderbilt-divinity-school","tag-vanderbilt-trending-stories","tag-vanderbilt-university"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/158411","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=158411"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/158411\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/158418"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=158411"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=158411"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hameed.nwar.uk\/sa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=158411"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}