University of Oklahoma – Beta Theta Pi House Rehabilitation

The Beta Theta Pi Fraternity House has been a prominent landmark at the University of Oklahoma Campus since construction was completed in 1927.

The scope of this project included a rehabilitation and restoration of the existing structure and a new four-story addition, more than doubling the total size of the facility.

The exterior restoration included careful repair of the original Indiana limestone façade, repair of the existing clay tile roof system, and new energy-efficient windows. These window units were specially fabricated to match the historic units in frame profile and configuration, while enhancing the thermal efficiency of the openings. The interior of the existing house was carefully rehabilitated, preserving the existing historic fabric and design elements while creating functional spaces appropriate for students and residents in the year 2015. The original dining hall, for example, was carefully adapted to house a new alumni center and library and includes museum quality displays of artifacts and information relating to the history of the fraternity at the University.

The new addition was sensitively placed behind the existing house, in a subordinate position relative to the original historic structure, which preserves the historic appearance and view from Chautauqua Avenue. The new addition is carefully separated from the existing structure with an offset on the first level and a complete setback on the upper levels. A “hyphen” connector is used on the upper floors to achieve this separation while allowing the necessary functional connection on all floor levels. The new addition serves as an appropriate backdrop for the historic construction, utilizing matching limestone, clay roof tile, and windows. As a backdrop, it purposefully does not include the ornate stone carving and design elements of the original.