{"id":8572,"date":"2019-06-04T11:13:25","date_gmt":"2019-06-04T15:13:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=8572"},"modified":"2019-06-04T17:59:46","modified_gmt":"2019-06-04T21:59:46","slug":"robinson-hall-weve-been-here-before","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=8572","title":{"rendered":"Robinson Hall: We’ve Been Here Before"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Robinson Hall construction site, 5\/29\/2019. Photo courtesy of the author.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is Part 3 of a multi-part series. To read Part 2, visit https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=8196<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The central part of George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus is undergoing a major facelift. The building that was once Robinson Hall A was demolished this spring, and the 4.14-acre site is being prepared for the new, much more modern, Robinson Hall. The new building, expected to be completed in late 2021, will be home to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Mason Innovation Exchange (MIX). It will feature 30 classrooms and will total over 218,000 square feet, making it the largest academic building on the Fairfax Campus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oddly enough, the university was in the midst of building a large academic building almost exactly 45 years ago on the same 4.14 acres. And, oddly enough, it also was named Robinson Hall. That Robinson Hall, at 100,000 square feet, was less than half the size of the new project and contained 28 classrooms and 14 labs. While the former Robinson cost about $2.4 million to build, the new Robinson will total about $112 million.  In June of 1974, the approximate date of the photograph below, the central part of Fairfax looked strikingly familiar to how it looks today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aerial photograph of George Mason University , Fairfax campus, 1974. Photo shows simultaneous construction work on Fenwick Library (at right), Academic II (bottom center), and Student Union (at left). George Mason University Facilities Management records #R0017, Box 139. Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Robinson Hall construction site, 5\/29\/2019. Photo courtesy of the author. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The new Robinson Hall and its surroundings will dramatically change the look of the center of campus. Gone will be the old Robinson Halls A and B, which were marked by the blocky Brutalist architecture of the last century. They will be replaced by a single building featuring sleek curves, brushed aluminum in places, energy-efficient green glass, and breathtaking landscape features. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rendering of the new Robinson Hall. Courtesy of George Mason University Facilities. Accessed at https:\/\/construction.gmu.edu\/stay-updated\/document-archive<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Site plan for the new Robinson Hall. Courtesy of Geoge Mason University Facilities. Accessed at
https:\/\/construction.gmu.edu\/stay-updated\/document-archive<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The university has designated this undertaking the Core Campus Project. Detailed information pertaining to all facets of the project can be found at construction.gmu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow Special Collections Research Center on Social Media <\/em>at our Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, and Twitter<\/a> accounts. To search the collections held at Special Collections Research Center, go to our website and browse the finding aids by subject or title. You may also e-mail us at speccoll@gmu.edu<\/a> or call 703-993-2220 if you would like to schedule an appointment, request materials, or if you have questions. Appointments are not necessary to request and view collections.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is Part 3 of a multi-part series. To read Part 2, visit https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=8196 The central part of George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus is undergoing a major facelift. The building that was once Robinson Hall A was demolished this spring, and the 4.14-acre site is being prepared for the new, much more modern, Robinson Hall. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":8571,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[529,272],"tags":[635,211,704],"class_list":["post-8572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-george-mason-university-history","category-gmu-fairfax-campus","tag-fairfax-campus","tag-george-mason-university","tag-robinson-hall"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/site_plan_new_robinson.jpg?fit=1053%2C690&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8Ep5i-2eg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7922,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=7922","url_meta":{"origin":8572,"position":0},"title":"Robinson Hall: The Beginning of the End (for now), Part 1","author":"Bob Vay","date":"September 19, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"This is Part 1 of a multi-part series. To read Part 2, visit https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=8196 As you might have noticed by now, our beloved Robinson Hall is being prepared for demolition so that a new and more-modern Robinson Hall can rise up in its place by 2022. Robinson opened in September\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "GMU Fairfax Campus"","block_context":{"text":"GMU Fairfax Campus","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=272"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/RobinsonmeetRobinson.jpg?fit=1200%2C977&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/RobinsonmeetRobinson.jpg?fit=1200%2C977&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/RobinsonmeetRobinson.jpg?fit=1200%2C977&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/RobinsonmeetRobinson.jpg?fit=1200%2C977&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/RobinsonmeetRobinson.jpg?fit=1200%2C977&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8196,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=8196","url_meta":{"origin":8572,"position":1},"title":"Robinson Hall: The Beginning of the End (for now), Part 2","author":"Bob Vay","date":"January 10, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"This is Part 2 of a multi-part series. To read Part 1, visit https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=7922 George Mason University faculty, staff, and students noticed increased activity around Robinson A when the Fairfax Campus reopened after the Winter Break on January 7th. Mason's second academic building, originally completed in 1975, will be levelled\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "George Mason University History"","block_context":{"text":"George Mason University History","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=529"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IMG_7387.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IMG_7387.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IMG_7387.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IMG_7387.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IMG_7387.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5144,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=5144","url_meta":{"origin":8572,"position":2},"title":"Mason’s Fairfax Campus turns 50!","author":"Bob Vay","date":"September 13, 2014","format":"image","excerpt":"George Mason University's Fairfax Campus turns fifty years old this Sunday.\u00a0 On September 14, 1964 George Mason College of the University of Virginia opened its doors to 356 freshman and sophomores.\u00a0 The faculty, which numbered fifteen,\u00a0comprised\u00a0seven full-time and eight part-time professors. The four original buildings were named North (now known\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Fairfax History"","block_context":{"text":"Fairfax History","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=194"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/R0120B01F16.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/R0120B01F16.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/R0120B01F16.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7625,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=7625","url_meta":{"origin":8572,"position":3},"title":"The Class of \u201868 Opens the Fairfax Campus","author":"Bob Vay","date":"June 7, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"This is Part 1 of a four-part series of articles pertaining to the George Mason University Class of 1968. The text is borrowed from SCRC's exhibition \"First Class: Mason '68 and Beyond\" currently on display through August 2018 in the SCRC Gallery. In August 1964, George Mason College of The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "exhibits"","block_context":{"text":"exhibits","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=22"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/1964_aerial.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/1964_aerial.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/1964_aerial.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/1964_aerial.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/1964_aerial.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/1964_aerial.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10208,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=10208","url_meta":{"origin":8572,"position":4},"title":"George Mason University Becomes Independent, April 7, 1972","author":"Bob Vay","date":"August 26, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"This post is part of a four-part series detailing the history of George Mason University from the student perspective. Our initial post,\u00a0Before We Became George Mason University: Our First Campus at Bailey\u2019s Crossroads, can be read here:\u00a0https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=10138 and Establishing our Identity: George Mason's Fairfax Campus, can be read here: https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=10152\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "exhibits"","block_context":{"text":"exhibits","link":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?cat=22"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Class_of_1972-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Class_of_1972-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Class_of_1972-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Class_of_1972-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vault217.gmu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Class_of_1972-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2992,"url":"https:\/\/vault217.gmu.edu\/?p=2992","url_meta":{"origin":8572,"position":5},"title":"George Mason University\u2019s Earliest Video Footage, Part 2","author":"Bob Vay","date":"November 14, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"This post is Part 2 of 2 parts. 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