Durant Hall, university building at University of California, Berkeley
Durant Hall is a university building at the University of California, Berkeley, constructed in 1911 from granite and concrete with neoclassical architectural style. The structure features strong columns, symmetrical lines, and classical details that give it a formal and enduring appearance on campus.
The building was originally constructed in 1911 as Boalt Memorial Hall of Law for UC Berkeley's law school. After the law school relocated in 1951, it housed the East Asian Library from the 1950s until 2007, when it was transformed into offices for the College of Letters and Sciences.
The building honors Henry Durant, the university's first president, reflecting its role in the institution's founding story. This naming choice connects visitors to the early decades when the university was established and shaped.
The building is located in a central area of the Berkeley campus and is easily accessible on foot. Access is designed for people with disabilities, with a sloped entry plaza that provides gentle ramps.
The building was the first on campus to receive Silver certification from the US Green Building Council in 2011, despite maintaining its neoclassical exterior. This recognition demonstrates how historic architecture can be modernized for sustainability without changing its visual character.
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