Both were deteriorating, inactive buildings in central locations. After being renovated, both will become focal points full of lively interaction, he says.

Planners say the new center sits at the apex of a V-configuration of humanities buildings, with the museums of Quincy St. on one side and a line of humanities buildings from Boylston Hall to Widener Library on the other.

Memorial Hall, originally designed as a dining hall, war memorial and theater, will now resume that function after years of use as a lecture hall and open space, Parsons says.

The restoration of Memorial Hall was contingent upon the restoration of the Union, Parsons adds.

The Union was originally built in 1901-2 with a gift of $150,000. According to historian Margaret H. Floyd, author of a book on Harvard architectural history, the building was intended to provide a gathering place for students who could not afford to dine at the private clubs frequented by many Harvard students at that time. The plans for renovation were then designed in order to fulfill the intent originally conceived.

Parsons agrees that the original intention of the building was to provide a sense of community.

"I don't think you [achieve this] by having a huge vaulted space in the middle of the building," Parsons says.

Parsons says the best way to preserve historical significance of buildings is to find new uses for old structures.

"Otherwise these buildings become burdensome," he adds.

Goody says the new plans remain true to the original intent, by dividing the great hall and creating a central circulation space.

"Instead of a kind of basement space that has a sense of being second class, the grand stair connecting the lowest floor to the highest floor, is a way of bringing faculty and students together," Goody says.

"In our hurried world, people meet while traveling to and from places and this plan will encourage this faculty interaction," she adds.

In the Details

In addition to concerns over the subdivision of the great hall, alumni and architects have also said that other historic details may be lost in the renovation.

"Even if they have to cut [the hall] into three rooms, the best solution would be not to change the ceiling or the wall paneling. Any alteration should be done with the greatest sensitivity to the historic labric and should have as little impact as possible," Reiff says.