The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)’s recent selection of STV, in joint venture with HDR, to design Thayer Hall at the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, marks the latest chapter in a decades-long partnership. Thayer Hall, originally constructed in 1909 and later converted into an academic facility, will be reconstructed and modernized as the centerpiece of West Point’s Academic Building Upgrade Program, part of the broader USMA 2035 modernization plan. 

For STV, Thayer Hall builds on more than three decades of partnership and shared purpose with West Point. From the award-winning Thomas Jefferson Hall Library and Learning Center to the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School, Davis Barracks, Grant Hall Barracks, and renovations to Bartlett Science Hall, STV has helped shape West Point’s campus through a legacy of thoughtful design and enduring collaboration. 

We spoke with Kim Vierheilig, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, president of STV’s national buildings group, to discuss the unique challenges and distinctions of designing for one of the nation’s most historic and prestigious academic institutions. 

1. Thayer Hall is described as the cornerstone of West Point’s modernization plan. What makes this project significant for the campus? 

Thayer Hall is at the heart of the cadet academic experience. Its reconstruction represents not only an investment in state-of-the-art learning spaces – classrooms, lecture halls, labs and support facilities – but also a commitment to preserving the historic fabric of the campus. For STV, being trusted again by USACE to deliver this type of project underscores the strength of our long-standing relationship and the confidence they place in our team’s ability to balance history with modernity. 

2. STV has designed new facilities and renovated historic ones across the West Point campus. What are the unique design challenges at a National Historic Landmark? 

Designing at West Point requires a deep understanding of context. As a National Historic Landmark, every project must be carefully coordinated with the New York State Historic Preservation Office and thoughtfully integrated into a campus defined by Gothic architecture and dramatic Hudson River terrain. 

At the same time, USMA’s mission demands facilities that support advanced teaching, STEM research and cadet life. Our role is to ensure that high-performance engineering systems, sustainability strategies and force protection requirements are seamlessly integrated into an environment rooted in tradition. That balance requires precision, collaboration and respect for both the past and the future. 

3. How does STV’s multidisciplinary expertise support USMA projects like Thayer Hall? 

These projects demand the full range of architecture and engineering disciplines. On past efforts, we’ve tackled everything from chiller plants and high-efficiency laboratory systems to complex BIM coordination and sustainability strategies that earned LEED Gold and Silver certifications. For Thayer Hall, our teams are drawing on that same multidisciplinary experience to deliver a comprehensive design that brings resilience, accessibility, security and long-term value for USMA. 

4. With such a rich portfolio at West Point, what project lessons are most valuable as you approach Thayer Hall? 

Each project has reinforced the importance of collaboration – whether it’s aligning with USACE guidelines, working together with West Point’s cultural and academic leadership or navigating phased construction on an active campus. Our work on Jefferson Hall taught us how to integrate contemporary transparency and daylighting into a Gothic context. The Preparatory School project underscored the value of BIM and sustainable design on an aggressive schedule. And the Davis Barracks showed us how to deliver scale and complexity while preserving sightlines and historic character. All those experiences inform how we approach Thayer Hall. 

5. What does it mean to contribute to the continued evolution of a campus as storied as West Point? 

It’s an honor and a privilege. West Point is where future leaders are developed, disciplined and prepared to serve – a mission that carries profound weight. Every building we touch contributes to that mission, whether by giving cadets state-of-the-art science labs, modern barracks or academic hubs like Thayer Hall. We take pride in knowing that our designs help nurture those who will protect and serve our nation.

Learn more about STV’s education facilities expertise and federal work