Smith Hall is being transformed into the new home for communications, media arts and teaching excellence.
A renovation and addition is breathing new life into TU’s former science building, Smith Hall. The project will renovate the building’s west wing and reconstruct the east wing to create a modern, 200,000 gross square foot learning facility.
Once complete, it will house TU’s mass communication, communication studies and electronic media and film departments, bringing College of Fine Arts and Communications programs together to expand interdisciplinary opportunities for students. The building will also be the new home of the Faculty Academic Center of Excellence at Towson (FACET).
The building also highlights specialty spaces to advance programmatic study including:
The building will also include
What Is Geothermal Energy?
Geothermal energy taps into the Earth’s natural heat to provide renewable heating
and cooling. Using underground temperatures that remain relatively constant year-round,
geothermal systems can heat buildings in winter and cool them in summer, while reducing
carbon emissions and cutting energy costs.
At the heart of these systems are ground-source heat pumps (GSHPs), which circulate fluid through a series of underground pipes. These systems are low-maintenance and highly efficient.
Geothermal at Towson University
Towson University is embracing geothermal energy as part of its commitment to sustainability,
energy efficiency, and climate action.
In December 2024, TU installed geothermal test wells outside Stephens Hall. These wells, drilled to depths of 500 and 800 feet, are helping evaluate the feasibility of long-term geothermal energy use across campus.
The renovation of Smith Hall is paving the way for Towson’s first operational geothermal system. The updated building will feature dedicated heating and cooling units powered by geothermal energy, a key step toward achieving LEED Gold certification for green design and construction.
These efforts support TU’s larger goal of achieving carbon neutrality and expanding the use of renewable energy, including solar.
Where It's Going
The geothermal well field is being installed near Stephens Hall, with underground
piping running through the campus quad to connect to Smith Hall’s mechanical systems.
The renderings show a glass and terracotta exterior offering views into the state-of-the-art learning environments inside. The renovations provide areas to inspire cretaivity, collaboration, and learning for students both on the inside of the building and outside as well.
This Smith Hall renovation rendering gives the campus community a look at the 200,000-square-foot building from another major angle. The space will soon house TU's mass communication, communication studies and electronic media and film programs.
“ We’re completely reinventing the building to house innovative spaces for hands-on learning. ”
Glen Drive is closed at Van Bokkelen Hall to allow for construction vehicle access. The parking lot adjacent to Van Bokkelen is closed to enable construction vehicles to turn around. Accessible parking and short-term loading/unloading spaces are available behind Stephens Hall and along Glen Drive.
The sidewalk directly adjacent to Smith Hall is closed for the duration of the project. Students can detour on the lower walkway toward Hawkins Hall. See the project map for details and accessible pathways.
If you have limited mobility and are having difficulty getting around the project, call 410-704-RIDE (7433). A TU paratransit will help get you where you need to go.
Geothermal Construction to Begin May 7 in Chapman Quad - 5/5/25
CHP and Smith Hall Campus Traffic Impacts
Smith Hall Renovation Traffic Impacts - 10/9/24
Pedestrian detour notification: CHP construction - 9/5/23
What's new on campus for fall - 8/21/23
Smith Hall Construction Fence - 7/24/23
The project has two major phases. The first phase will remove and replace the east wing of the building (also known as “Old Smith Hall”) with a more functional space that accommodates the unique needs of communications and media arts programs. The newly constructed wing will have a slightly different footprint, extending toward the Lecture Hall and opening up the quad in the center of campus.
The second phase will renovate the west wing of the building nearest the Glen Towers. Key project milestones are provided in the timeline below.
| Dates | Milestones |
|---|---|
| Spring 2024 – Summer 2024 | East Smith deconstruction |
| Summer 2024 – February 2027 | East Smith construction; west Smith renovation |
| February 2027 | Completion |
From the College of Fine Arts & Communication to working as resident assistants, The Fowlkes triplets have made TU home.
The changes support the university’s steps toward achieving a Carnegie Research Classification of R2: Doctoral University.
Daniel Kundrat finds his calling in TU's electronic media and film department.
