{"id":29206,"date":"2026-06-04T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/architecture\/2026\/06\/04\/light-community-and-design-the-transformed-first-floor-of-brooks-halls-matsumoto-wing\/"},"modified":"2026-07-25T01:57:56","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T05:57:56","slug":"light-community-and-design-the-transformed-first-floor-of-brooks-halls-matsumoto-wing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/architecture\/2026\/06\/04\/light-community-and-design-the-transformed-first-floor-of-brooks-halls-matsumoto-wing\/","title":{"rendered":"Light, Community and Design: The Transformed First Floor of Brooks Hall’s Matsumoto Wing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

A building that once stood as an enduring tribute to modernism \u2013 colloquially named for the architect and designer who shaped its design \u2013 has once again been reshaped for a new era. The Matsumoto wing of Brooks Hall, named after former faculty member George Matsumoto and designed in the mid-fifties, has a refreshed first floor that connects the college\u2019s internal mission with the outside environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you think about the building it\u2019s added on to, the Matsumoto Wing is a powerful statement for modernism. Attached to a white marble-columned neoclassical building, it was meant to exhibit the ideals of modernism and the school\u2019s progressive, optimistic mission. It was a statement piece,\u201d says David Hill, head of the School of Architecture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The building was the first glass and aluminum curtain wall in North Carolina, freeing itself from heavy, load-bearing walls to offer second and third floor studios flooded with natural light and operable windows that drew in fresh air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to its renovation, the first floor space of the Matsumoto wing felt dark and cramped. Too many students had tried to utilize a space that has housed studios, the materials lab, and collaborative space over the years. When it was built, nearby Kamphoefner Hall didn\u2019t exist, nor did the robust, rich courtyard that has become a central hub for academic life. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n\n
\"From
From the interior, occupants have an expanded view of the surrounding buildings and outdoor space. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
\n \n\n
\"An
An exterior view of the space facing the courtyard.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The exterior is now a wall of glass, connecting the building with the faculty and student life happening outside. Photography credit: Keith Isaacs<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

When approaching the project, Interim Dean Sharon Joines knew she would have to lobby hard for the space. While it had a relatively small footprint for a campus project, its potential for impact for the college far outweighed its size. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The space had a lot of challenges going in \u2013 the original wing wasn\u2019t designed for HVAC use, and so used recirculated and chilled air throughout all three floors. \u201cWe had three goals going into this project: install an efficient HVAC system with plans for the whole wing, design a space to support the college\u2019s growing research needs, and showcase research in the college community through the built environment,\u201d said Joines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, when visitors enter the space, natural light floods the space through a large window wall, linking the interior with the nearby exterior courtyard, a hub for student activity for the college. The renovation removes the visual and physical barriers that once separated interior from exterior, drawing the outdoors in and making the courtyard feel less like a separate place and more like an extension of the work happening inside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEducation has changed, technology has changed, and the place itself has changed,\u201d says Zach Hoffman, principal and architect at in situ studio, the firm of record for the project. \u201cThe project required a reinterpretation of the culture of the collaborative studio, the thoughtful incorporation of new and future mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, and the reestablishment of the \u2018front door.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new space is highly flexible, combining research space, collaborative areas and dedicated labs. Health and wellness were taken into account, maximizing natural light to boost productivity and creativity. \u201cThe space also aligns with modern pedagogy,\u201d Joines adds. \u201cDesign education has shifted from solitary desk work to collaborative, team-based problem solving. This new floor plan with zones for collaboration and break areas provides students and faculty with the infrastructure needed for modern, interactive learning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Designed by Those Who Know It Best<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The renovation was entrusted to in situ studio<\/strong>, an architecture firm with a uniquely personal connection to the college. Matt Griffith \u201802 and Zach Hoffman \u201814 are principals at in situ studio and alumni of the architecture program. They also serve as professors of the practice, returning each year to teach and mentor the next generation of designers in the same building their work now inhabits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of their main goals in approaching this project was \u201cdon\u2019t embarrass the family,\u201d Hoffman jokes. The team had big shoes to fill, reimagining a space designed by one of the best architects working with one of the most competent firms in the Triangle. \u201cThe good news for us was that the architectural “bones”\u2014the ideas about space and architectural clarity\u2014were already there. We just needed to follow and reinterpret those rules for the ground floor,\u201d he adds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those multifaceted identities of former student, current educator and architectural practitioner helped manifest the final design. \u201cIt\u2019s a testament to the importance of what we do as architects, what Matsumoto accomplished, and what is taught at our school. It is our responsibility to connect the past to the future in the built environment,\u201d Hoffman says. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n\n
\"a
A cross section of the first floor of the Matsumoto Wing. Renderings by in situ studio.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
\n \n\n
\"The
The floor plan before renovation shows a space divided and not useful for the college\u2019s current needs. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The new floor plan proposed by in situ studio creates larger, open spaces with moveable partitions to add to the flexibility and functionality of the space.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Champions at the university level were integral into transforming this project from plans on paper to a refreshed building. Assistant Vice Chancellor and University Architect Lisa Johnson was integral in understanding the importance of the project for the college culture and neighborhood. \u201cShe had a knack for asking the right questions at the right time, helping us make difficult decisions that will benefit the college for decades to come,\u201d Joines said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this case, the clear system for structure, daylighting and architectural delight established in 1955 is now overlaid with a new layer\u2014a strategy for the integration of MEP systems on the ground floor that can now be adopted floor-to-floor in future renovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Built for the Work Ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The transformed first floor now houses three distinct but complementary programs that together define a new focus for the college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research and collaborative space anchors the floor with flexible environments, meant to be used by teams working through complex problems, by researchers pursuing questions that don’t fit neatly into a single studio and by faculty and students whose best thinking happens in conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The K\u201312 Design Lab opens the school’s resources and culture to a broader community, creating a dedicated home for the programs that bring younger students into contact with design thinking. For some, it may be their first foray into design, and a well-designed space can help unlock the possibility of how they interpret their world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
A central gallery offers pinnable walls common throughout the college, allowing class critiques and gallery exhibitions to utilize the space. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A central gallery rounds out the floor as a flexible event and exhibition venue, capable of hosting community gatherings. Positioned between the more specialized research and education spaces, the gallery serves as a social heart of the floor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together, these programs make the first floor of the Matsumoto wing what the College of Design\u2019s public face should be: a demonstration that design changes how people work, learn and connect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Much Needed Change <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the building Matsumoto designed in the 1950s began as a shiny, new object, 70 years have changed its focus. Students have worn it down, technology has advanced and the way we learn and work have changed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSome buildings cannot keep pace with time,\u201d Hill adds. \u201cBut the good ones are timeless and resilient because they can have several lives, bending towards the present without breaking from the past. This new renovation breathes life into Matsumoto\u2019s legacy. It preserves the visionary and repairs what time has worn, and helps advance the cultural, intellectual and creative lifeblood of great design education at NC State.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hoffman echoes that sentiment, encouraging users to consider the context in which these buildings were built. What are baseline expectations today may not have existed in the p FCC ast, and considering a building outdated because it doesn\u2019t meet unexpected needs can be an unfair assessment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite all of this, and 70 years of elapsed time, the Matsumoto Wing uniquely sits as an incredibly current building. Its modernist structural clarity results in spatial flexibility, a minimal reliance on artificial light, and comfortable natural ventilation strategies,\u201d he notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Grand Opening<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The celebration of the renovation’s completion carried an added layer of meaning. The grand opening was also the occasion to honor Dean Mark Hoversten, who, after a decade of leadership, announced his return to the faculty<\/a>. Since his appointment as dean, he has brought a student-focused approach to leadership, interdisciplinary initiatives and experiential education for College of Design students. Hoversten was instrumental in increasing the college\u2019s studio, research and lab space, the renovation of several labs, and increasing accessibility to the college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the educational and research needs of the college are always changing, Dean Hoversten has helped shepherd the college\u2019s growth for the next century. The college celebrated the hard work on this space with a reception honoring the dean, utilizing the space to display a gallery of Mark\u2019s artwork and timeline of the college\u2019s achievements during his tenure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am truly honored by the outpouring of support shown at this event,\u201d Hoversten stated. \u201cThis project truly reflects our college – not only the hard work and vision from all of those involved with the project, from facilities, construction, design and leadership, but also the effect that design can have on our learning and working environment. I hope this new space reflects a renewed rigor in research within our college and prepares our students for collaborative learning for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n
\n \n\n
\"pictured,
Pictured, left to right: Dean Mark Hoversten, Board of Trustees Member Perry Safran, Dean David Hinks and Dean Frank Buckless.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Chancellor
Chancellor Kevin Howell speaks on Hoversten\u2019s leadership over his decade of tenure, while wife Turi supports.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n \n\n
\"Sharon
Sharon Joines, associate dean of academic strategy, speaks about Hoversten\u2019s impact with Head of the School of Architecture David Hill in background. Joines will assume the position of interim dean effective July 1. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"A
A packed room congregates to send off Dean Hoversten and celebrate his decade of leadership.
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n

This post was originally published<\/a> in College of Design Blog.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false,"raw":"\n\n\n\n\n

A building that once stood as an enduring tribute to modernism \u2013 colloquially named for the architect and designer who shaped its design \u2013 has once again been reshaped for a new era. The Matsumoto wing of Brooks Hall, named after former faculty member George Matsumoto and designed in the mid-fifties, has a refreshed first floor that connects the college\u2019s internal mission with the outside environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you think about the building it\u2019s added on to, the Matsumoto Wing is a powerful statement for modernism. Attached to a white marble-columned neoclassical building, it was meant to exhibit the ideals of modernism and the school\u2019s progressive, optimistic mission. It was a statement piece,\u201d says David Hill, head of the School of Architecture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The building was the first glass and aluminum curtain wall in North Carolina, freeing itself from heavy, load-bearing walls to offer second and third floor studios flooded with natural light and operable windows that drew in fresh air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to its renovation, the first floor space of the Matsumoto wing felt dark and cramped. Too many students had tried to utilize a space that has housed studios, the materials lab, and collaborative space over the years. When it was built, nearby Kamphoefner Hall didn\u2019t exist, nor did the robust, rich courtyard that has become a central hub for academic life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\"From
From the interior, occupants have an expanded view of the surrounding buildings and outdoor space. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
\"An
An exterior view of the space facing the courtyard.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The exterior is now a wall of glass, connecting the building with the faculty and student life happening outside. Photography credit: Keith Isaacs<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n

When approaching the project, Interim Dean Sharon Joines knew she would have to lobby hard for the space. While it had a relatively small footprint for a campus project, its potential for impact for the college far outweighed its size. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The space had a lot of challenges going in \u2013 the original wing wasn\u2019t designed for HVAC use, and so used recirculated and chilled air throughout all three floors. \u201cWe had three goals going into this project: install an efficient HVAC system with plans for the whole wing, design a space to support the college\u2019s growing research needs, and showcase research in the college community through the built environment,\u201d said Joines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, when visitors enter the space, natural light floods the space through a large window wall, linking the interior with the nearby exterior courtyard, a hub for student activity for the college. The renovation removes the visual and physical barriers that once separated interior from exterior, drawing the outdoors in and making the courtyard feel less like a separate place and more like an extension of the work happening inside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEducation has changed, technology has changed, and the place itself has changed,\u201d says Zach Hoffman, principal and architect at in situ studio, the firm of record for the project. \u201cThe project required a reinterpretation of the culture of the collaborative studio, the thoughtful incorporation of new and future mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, and the reestablishment of the \u2018front door.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new space is highly flexible, combining research space, collaborative areas and dedicated labs. Health and wellness were taken into account, maximizing natural light to boost productivity and creativity. \u201cThe space also aligns with modern pedagogy,\u201d Joines adds. \u201cDesign education has shifted from solitary desk work to collaborative, team-based problem solving. This new floor plan with zones for collaboration and break areas provides students and faculty with the infrastructure needed for modern, interactive learning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Designed by Those Who Know It Best<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The renovation was entrusted to in situ studio<\/strong>, an architecture firm with a uniquely personal connection to the college. Matt Griffith \u201802 and Zach Hoffman \u201814 are principals at in situ studio and alumni of the architecture program. They also serve as professors of the practice, returning each year to teach and mentor the next generation of designers in the same building their work now inhabits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of their main goals in approaching this project was \u201cdon\u2019t embarrass the family,\u201d Hoffman jokes. The team had big shoes to fill, reimagining a space designed by one of the best architects working with one of the most competent firms in the Triangle. \u201cThe good news for us was that the architectural \"bones\"\u2014the ideas about space and architectural clarity\u2014were already there. We just needed to follow and reinterpret those rules for the ground floor,\u201d he adds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those multifaceted identities of former student, current educator and architectural practitioner helped manifest the final design. \u201cIt\u2019s a testament to the importance of what we do as architects, what Matsumoto accomplished, and what is taught at our school. It is our responsibility to connect the past to the future in the built environment,\u201d Hoffman says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\"a
A cross section of the first floor of the Matsumoto Wing. Renderings by in situ studio.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
\"The
The floor plan before renovation shows a space divided and not useful for the college\u2019s current needs. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The new floor plan proposed by in situ studio creates larger, open spaces with moveable partitions to add to the flexibility and functionality of the space.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Champions at the university level were integral into transforming this project from plans on paper to a refreshed building. Assistant Vice Chancellor and University Architect Lisa Johnson was integral in understanding the importance of the project for the college culture and neighborhood. \u201cShe had a knack for asking the right questions at the right time, helping us make difficult decisions that will benefit the college for decades to come,\u201d Joines said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this case, the clear system for structure, daylighting and architectural delight established in 1955 is now overlaid with a new layer\u2014a strategy for the integration of MEP systems on the ground floor that can now be adopted floor-to-floor in future renovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Built for the Work Ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The transformed first floor now houses three distinct but complementary programs that together define a new focus for the college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research and collaborative space anchors the floor with flexible environments, meant to be used by teams working through complex problems, by researchers pursuing questions that don't fit neatly into a single studio and by faculty and students whose best thinking happens in conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The K\u201312 Design Lab opens the school's resources and culture to a broader community, creating a dedicated home for the programs that bring younger students into contact with design thinking. For some, it may be their first foray into design, and a well-designed space can help unlock the possibility of how they interpret their world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
A central gallery offers pinnable walls common throughout the college, allowing class critiques and gallery exhibitions to utilize the space. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A central gallery rounds out the floor as a flexible event and exhibition venue, capable of hosting community gatherings. Positioned between the more specialized research and education spaces, the gallery serves as a social heart of the floor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together, these programs make the first floor of the Matsumoto wing what the College of Design\u2019s public face should be: a demonstration that design changes how people work, learn and connect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Much Needed Change <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the building Matsumoto designed in the 1950s began as a shiny, new object, 70 years have changed its focus. Students have worn it down, technology has advanced and the way we learn and work have changed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSome buildings cannot keep pace with time,\u201d Hill adds. \u201cBut the good ones are timeless and resilient because they can have several lives, bending towards the present without breaking from the past. This new renovation breathes life into Matsumoto\u2019s legacy. It preserves the visionary and repairs what time has worn, and helps advance the cultural, intellectual and creative lifeblood of great design education at NC State.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hoffman echoes that sentiment, encouraging users to consider the context in which these buildings were built. What are baseline expectations today may not have existed in the p FCC ast, and considering a building outdated because it doesn\u2019t meet unexpected needs can be an unfair assessment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite all of this, and 70 years of elapsed time, the Matsumoto Wing uniquely sits as an incredibly current building. Its modernist structural clarity results in spatial flexibility, a minimal reliance on artificial light, and comfortable natural ventilation strategies,\u201d he notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Grand Opening<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The celebration of the renovation's completion carried an added layer of meaning. The grand opening was also the occasion to honor Dean Mark Hoversten, who, after a decade of leadership, announced his return to the faculty<\/a>. Since his appointment as dean, he has brought a student-focused approach to leadership, interdisciplinary initiatives and experiential education for College of Design students. Hoversten was instrumental in increasing the college\u2019s studio, research and lab space, the renovation of several labs, and increasing accessibility to the college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the educational and research needs of the college are always changing, Dean Hoversten has helped shepherd the college\u2019s growth for the next century. The college celebrated the hard work on this space with a reception honoring the dean, utilizing the space to display a gallery of Mark\u2019s artwork and timeline of the college\u2019s achievements during his tenure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am truly honored by the outpouring of support shown at this event,\u201d Hoversten stated. \u201cThis project truly reflects our college - not only the hard work and vision from all of those involved with the project, from facilities, construction, design and leadership, but also the effect that design can have on our learning and working environment. I hope this new space reflects a renewed rigor in research within our college and prepares our students for collaborative learning for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"pictured,
Pictured, left to right: Dean Mark Hoversten, Board of Trustees Member Perry Safran, Dean David Hinks and Dean Frank Buckless.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Chancellor
Chancellor Kevin Howell speaks on Hoversten\u2019s leadership over his decade of tenure, while wife Turi supports.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\"Sharon
Sharon Joines, associate dean of academic strategy, speaks about Hoversten\u2019s impact with Head of the School of Architecture David Hill in background. Joines will assume the position of interim dean effective July 1. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"A
A packed room congregates to send off Dean Hoversten and celebrate his decade of leadership.
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A building that once stood as an enduring tribute to modernism \u2013 colloquially named for the architect and designer who shaped its design \u2013 has once again been reshaped for a new era. The Matsumoto wing of Brooks Hall, named after former faculty member George Matsumoto and designed in the mid-fifties, has a refreshed first floor that connects the college\u2019s internal mission with the outside environment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":29207,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"ncstate_wire","ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[34],"class_list":["post-29206","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-_from-newswire-collection-277"],"displayCategory":null,"acf":{"ncst_posts_meta_modified_date":null},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29206","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29206"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29206\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29212,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29206\/revisions\/29212"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29207"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29206"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29206"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/architecture\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}