Founded in 1848 at Miami University in Ohio, the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity established it’s the first branch chapter at Indiana University in 1849. The fraternity has since grown to 153 chapters and colonies located in forty-three states and five Canadian provinces. Famous members include: Benjamin Harrison, Frank Lloyd Wright, Lou Gehrig, Neil Armstrong and Burt Reynolds amongst others.

 

The 1955 Collegiate Tudor style Fraternity House on the IU campus was generally in good condition. The organization had done well to maintain and preserve their historic space. However, modern technology, inconsistent building maintenance, outdated mechanical systems along with general deterioration led to problems that were often addressed piecemeal. These ‘fixes’ corrected the current problem, but often did not heed the building as a whole.

 

The Fraternity Board required a more comprehensive approach for updates, maintenance and repairs. They engaged the services of Jacobs Pannicke Architects, Inc. now known as ARCHitecture trio, inc.  to provide a study that specified phased plans for future alternations that provided the best use of interior spaces with optimum occupancy.

 

A thorough investigation was conducted to rework the existing spaces to accommodate both users and systems in a prioritized manner. The study included the following information: building condition evaluation; preliminary code analysis; mechanical, electrical, plumbing and information technology systems evaluation; living spaces including cold and warm dorms evaluation; creation of multiple schematic design space planning diagrams; phased rehabilitation recommendations and a cost magnitude. Phase 1 work was completed in 2008 with Phase 2 pending fundraising.

 

Project was carried out under ARCHitecture trio's former company name Jacobs Pannicke Architects, Inc.

 

Study Completion: Winter 2007