Humphreys Building Renovation

The transformation of the University of Central Missouri’s Humphreys Building represents a foundational investment in the university’s future. At the intersection of historic preservation and state-of-the-art technology integration, the renovation turns a dark, closed-off structure into an interconnected hub for academic life. It more than doubles the existing collaboration space, improves faculty-student interaction, and strengthens the building’s relationship to the rest of campus—physically, visually, and socially. 

Constructed by joining together two early 20th-century buildings with a 1968 addition, Humphreys Building had long suffered from disjointed circulation and understated entrances. Minor renovations over the years further undercut the usefulness of this aging, mid-century addition. Partnering with Hollis+Miller, Cuningham’s renovation addresses these limitations by preserving the 110-year-old wings and reshaping the 60s-era core to facilitate movement, daylight, and collaboration—reestablishing the building as a critical campus connection point rather than an obstacle to be circumnavigated. 

Central to this reimagining is a new ground floor that opens views and fosters movement between the north and south quads. On the north side, the addition of centrally located, transparent entrance with expansive glazing invites students and faculty into the space and offers passersby a glimpse of the activity within. On the south facade, what was once a monolithic stone wall with a narrow, undistinguished entry point is given material contrast, additional windows, and a landscaped exterior patio that establishes a more welcoming entry sequence.