65-Year-Old Hunter Hall Unveils New Look
This story was submitted by UTC News
Hunter Hall, before renovations began in December 2020 (left) and what visitors will see now when they enter the upgraded building.
CHATTANOOGA (UTC) —The hint-of-mint green wall tiles are gone. So are the iconic wall lockers.
The heating and air conditioning systems are more energy efficient. State-of-the-art technology takes advantage of the digital world.
The $13.9-million upgrading of the 65-year-old Hunter Hall, which began in December 2020, is almost complete at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
When the fall semester starts in August, the maintenance and modernization renovations should be complete, said Valerie Rutledge, dean of the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies.
“We have made some specific changes to make it more desirable for the faculty and for the students who are here,” said Rutledge, who has worked in Hunter Hall since 1995. “It will be clean, not crowded with lots of items that were a carryover from before. The look now is much cleaner, brighter, up-to-date and streamlined.”
New heating and air conditioning equipment and lighting fixtures will increase energy efficiency. Classrooms have movable furniture that makes it easier to adjust layouts for the needs of each class. Building-wide, the furniture style will be consistent throughout, not a catch-as-catch-can situation.
As far as the lockers on the second floor, they haven’t been entirely removed. Instead, they’re behind walls and no longer visible or usable.
To learn more about the Hunter Hall interior renovation and the answer to a question that’s buzzed around UTC for years — “Why were there lockers in Hunter Hall in the first place?” — visit the UTC Newsroom story.
Built in 1957, Hunter Hall (shown before construction projects began) is located at the corner of McCallie Ave. and Campus Drive on the UTC campus.
