Ella Kitchens, Features Editor–
On the edge of A-Quad, the previously named Doane Hall sits. It’s surrounded by covered walls, as companies contracted by Denison renovate it.
This major capital project, now renamed the Tina and Dave Knobel Hall, and its new addition, the Emily Hauser King and Robert E. King Center for Data and Innovation, is projected to be completed by August 2026.
The orginal edifice was built in 1895. Denison has attempted to balance the older architectural style with the new, modern King Center.
“With all the new steel and all the different angles, building the new add-on has been different from renovating the old,” said Jeremie Tinto, project construction manager. “It’s been a challenge, but the different architectural designs and angles make this building really unique from others.”
Throughout the process of renovating Doane, architectural designs were made to maintain the integrity of the initial design.
“We worked hard [to] bring the character of the 1890s architecture into the new spaces by using materials from that era, like wood and terrazzo, and by repurposing an exterior wall as an interior wall in the King Center,” said Jake Preston, director of physical plant and capital projects, in an email response.
Beginning in January 2025, the renovation and addition have both been overseen by Tinto, but the construction was done by contracted workers.
“There are two Denison employees working on the project, myself and Drew Mascioli,” said Tinto. “Our general contractor (GC) is in charge of the whole project and all the trades. The GC helps with answering questions for all the trades like electrical, mechanical, plumbers, carpenters, framers, masons, everything.”
Due to the age of the structure, some of the renovations have required intensive work.
“In Doane there were places where you jumped and the whole floor bounced,” said Tinto. “We reinforced all the floor beams, and we laminated all the floor joists to make them stronger. And we had to put a lot of extra steel and concrete to help carry the extra weight.”
The renovation process started on the highest floor.
“Normally, you want to start from the third floor and work yourself down, so don’t bring the dust with you all the way,” said Tinto.
Meanwhile, construction of the King Center has been happening simultaneously. Both the renovation and construction are currently in progress and expected to be finished by the same time in August.
According to Denison’s website, the King Center will house the university’s computer science and data analytics departments. Courses in applied mathematics, digital humanities, financial economics, and data for political research will be held in the King Center as well.
The King Center will provide office and research space, classrooms, robotics and AI workshops, and multiple labs, including a virtual reality lab, a contemporary data visualization laboratory, and more.
Preston emphasized that this is continuing Denison’s legacy of providing an innovative education.
“We’re always focused on giving our students the knowledge and skills they need to be successful,” said Preston. “When Denison launched the data analytics major in 2016, we were one of the first liberal arts schools to enter that field, and now it’s one of our most popular majors.”
All students at Denison, not just STEM majors, will be able to use the resources of the King Center.
“Today, every student needs to be data literate, and the King Center for Data and Innovation was the natural next step,” Preston said. “When it opens in fall 2026, it will be the first center dedicated to helping students acquire this knowledge in a liberal arts school.”