Owner: university of alabama
Location: tuscaloosa, AL
Project Size: 134,600 SF
For over 150 years, the historic Bryce Hospital served the Alabama Department of Mental Health before being acquired by the University of Alabama for adaptive reuse. BPA led the comprehensive renovation and restoration efforts, ensuring this antebellum-era landmark was preserved while seamlessly integrating it into the university’s campus.
The design process included extensive field studies, historically accurate detailing, and strategic planning for selective demolition, abatement, and structural stabilization. Salvaging original bricks and architectural details, BPA prepared the structure for its next chapter as a university welcome center and academic space for the theater and dance department. By carefully removing outdated systems and reinforcing the historic framework, the project set the stage for future restoration while honoring the building’s architectural legacy.
