In fact, Parsons says, the firm's initial plans were to keep the hall intact. However, they concluded that "preserving the great hall in its existing condition would not create the kind of lively interactive space that we wanted to create for these departments."

But architectural historians dispute the claim that a restructuring was necessary.

"I believe that the renovation plans which will drastically alter one of the grand spaces of the interior are wrongheaded and misguided," Reiff says.

The Renovations

Goody, Clancy & Associates is the-same Boston firm that won a multitude of awards for their restoration of Harvard Yard under Parsons' direction.

According to architect Joan Goody, their plans call for the subdivision of the great hall into three sections--a grand parlor, a very large seminar room and a large sky lit central atrium-like space with a grand staircase linking all the floors in the building. The rotunda, which now provides students with a secondary dining area, is slated to become a coffee house. (See design below.)

The original fireplace will remain in the large parlor located to the right as will three of the original paneled walls. The large seminar room containing the original second fireplace will be located to the left. Offices and seminar rooms will constitute the remainder of the building.

In contrast, the building's facade will undergo minimal renovations, barring the removal of a 1950s kitchen addition, Goody says.

Parsons and Goody say these renovations remain true to the original intentions of McKim, Mead & White.

In addition, several changes are designed to take advantage of the building's south-facing position.

The skylight will lighten up the great hall and the floor below through a recess in the floor of the atrium. The final renovation plans were reviewed and supported by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the same organization who bestowed the award last year upon Harvard for the restoration of Harvard Yard.

The Dispute

Although Parsons and Goody assure historians that they intend to preserve the building's original look, criticism of the project abounds.

"It is not that we've been insensitive to historical issues in the planning," Parsons says.

But not everyone concurs with Parsons' position. Many alumni and architectural historians have written letters protesting the plans to Goody, Parsons and President Neil L. Rudenstine. And a number of letters of protest have been published in Harvard Magazine.