Pendleton West

In the spring of 2017, Wellesley College celebrated the completed renovation of the west wing of Pendleton Hall, designed by Charles Klauder in 1934, and Paul Rudolph’s Jewett Arts Center (1958). Wellesley’s objective was to update the buildings, create choral and orchestral space, and add dedicated, appropriate studios for its burgeoning media and visual arts programs. Kieran Timberlake piloted the gut renovation and 10,000-square-foot addition that integrates the desired classrooms, studios, and rehearsal and performance spaces. Marguerite Rodgers provided the complimentary interiors designed to reflect the woodland campus. Wood-clad surfaces are a unifying element, a rustic juxtaposition to the crisp red fabric ceilings and a warm contrast to the board-formed concrete walls. The elegant, meditative spaces promote creative dialogue and cross-disciplinary collaboration, emphasizing individual artistic practice as well as communal experiences.

  • Architecture: KieranTimberlake
  • Photography: Michael Moran / OTTO and Bob O’Connor Photography
A modern hallway with tall windows on the right letting in sunlight. There are concrete walls, a red ceiling, and polished floors. A brown chair and white table are on the left, and a person is walking away near the far end. Trees are visible outside.
Art studio with large windows, easels displaying colorful paintings, stools, tables with art supplies, and shelves. The workspace appears organized but active, with various artworks showing figures and abstract designs in progress. Natural light fills the room.
Art classroom with shelving of labeled boxes and old bricks on the left, long tables and chairs in the center, a large printing press near the windows on the right, and art supplies and posters on the walls; one drink is on a table.
A well-lit workshop with high ceilings, wooden worktables, metal stools, storage cabinets, tools on shelves, two black chairs, concrete floors, and large windows on the right wall. Fluorescent lights and exposed pipes are visible on the ceiling.
An art studio with large windows, two tables, flat file storage, and a blue overhead ventilation hose suspended from the ceiling, curving down over a work surface. Art supplies and paper are visible; natural light streams through the windows.