Begun in 2018, Building Duke is a three-year initiative designed to explore the history of the conception, design and construction of Duke campus as well as its changes and expansions through time.

In its first year (2018-2019), the team focused on the collection, organization and digitization of textual and visual material from the University Archives. In 2019-2020, team members combined historical research with digital technologies to examine Duke’s physical environment and develop historical narratives. In particular, team members used rigorous archival and secondary source research to highlight select buildings and the people who were instrumental in shaping Duke’s campus.

Team members also designed and developed a data-driven modeling technique for Duke University’s campus. Upon completion of initial data collection, students engaged in a schematic three-dimensional modeling exercise for all extant structures. The result was a campus wide 3D model that approximates the actual physical form of all buildings.

Timing

Fall 2019 – Spring 2020

Team Outputs

Esri StoryMaps of select buildings on East & West Campus (can be accessed upon request)

Airtable Database

Public Lecture by David Brown (descendant of the Duke Construction company)

This Team in the News

Senior Spotlight: Reflections from the Class of 2022

Meet the Winners of the 2020 Bass Connections Student Research Awards

Doctoral Students Honored for Commitment to Outstanding Mentorship

See related teams, Building Duke: The Architectural History of Duke Campus (2020-2021) and Building Duke: The Architectural History of Duke Campus from 1924 to the Present (2018-2019).

Image: Courtesy of Duke University Archives