Join us in shaping the future of AAP's historic Sibley Dome.
Sibley Dome Renovation
New and Renewed
The renovation of Sibley Dome began in June 2024 and is currently underway. The project's anticipated completion date is January 2026. When finished, the dome will house new and updated teaching, learning, and gathering spaces while preserving historical details.
Sibley Dome New Programming
Project plans encompass 17,000+ square feet and include the addition of a 110-seat, circular auditorium; open, light-filled studios and workspaces; a collaborative commons with study nooks and meeting areas for the entire AAP community; and new, centrally located homes for the cross-disciplinary Cornell Mui Ho Center for Cities and the multicollege Department of Design Tech.
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Rendering of Sibley Dome's collaborative commons. image / WORKac
Cross-section rendering of Sibley Dome auditorium. image / WORKac
Rendering of Sibley Dome's studio space and collaborative commons. image / WORKac
Rendering of Sibley Dome's collaborative commons. image / WORKac
Timeline
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Summer–Fall 2024:
- Project mobilization
- Initiation of demolition activities
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Winter 2024–Early Spring 2025:
- Commencement of rough framing
- Building envelope work
- Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-ins
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Late Spring–Early Fall 2025:
- Interior finishes installation
- Furniture procurement and installation
- Equipment delivery and setup
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Target Project Completion:
- January 2026
Project Gallery
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The fall 2024 transformation of what was once the home of Cornell's Fine Arts Library retains the building's original architectural bones, brick walls, and columns as the space prepares for its next chapter.
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Fall 2024 Sibley Dome pre-construction reveals a rare view of the domed ceiling's metalwork.
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The intricate metalwork of Sibley Dome speaks to both its history and its longevity.
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The arched brick infill discovered during Sibley Dome's renovation comprises meticulous brickwork and a curved archway, suggesting skilled craftsmanship from a previous era layered beneath the building's many historical permutations.
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An architectural palimpsest, Sibley Dome's third floor reveals layers of history. The renovation has uncovered historic, often mysterious elements as the space is transformed.
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The building's original flooring system, with exposed shimmed sleepers that once provided leveling support for the original floor, will remain throughout improvements such as a new subfloor and maple hardwoods.
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Scaffolding and other preparations are underway as demolition activities begin on the third floor of Sibley Hall.
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As demolition activities begin, construction workers are an integral part of this and every stage of the project.
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Following demolition and asbestos abatement, an interior view reveals the space's original bones. The stripped-down circular gallery shows the historic masonry walls, ornate railing details, and clerestory windows.
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A drone view of Sibley Hall's historic dome atrium shows the current open space that will become a 110-seat auditorium. The overhead perspective captures the architectural details of the vaulted ceiling and structural framework before renovation begins.
Contributions
