Lexington couple contributes $25,000 to Lee Hall project

Published: June 23, 2010

CLEMSON — Studying in Lee Hall is a family tradition for the latest alumni to support the expansion, renovation and restoration of the historic building. D. Wayne and Jill C. Rogers of Catalyst Architects in Lexington have pledged $25,000 for the project.

Wayne and Jill Rogers met while studying architecture in Lee Hall. They graduated with bachelor’s degrees in 1982, and he received his master’s degree in architecture in 1986. The Rogers family is three generations of architects in the making. Wayne’s father, Colonel O. Rogers Jr., also an architect, studied at Clemson, and their son, Colonel Brandon Rogers, earned his bachelor of arts degree in architecture from Clemson in May.

“Lee Hall is a special place for most of the architects in South Carolina, but that’s especially true for our family,” Wayne Rogers said.

Lee Hall is the home of graduate and undergraduate programs in architecture; art; city and regional planning; construction science and management; landscape architecture; real estate development; and a doctorate program in planning, design and the built environment. The $31 million project includes designs for a new addition and renovations for the older facilities.

Clemson University broke ground in April on the project.

The plan to expand, renovate and restore Lee Hall is funded by federal money and private support. The project is slated for completion by fall 2011.

The expansion portion of the project is a 55,000-square-foot building at the south end of the existing structure. It will be a “zero-net-energy” building that uses very little energy or possibly gives back to the electric grid. The design calls for a simple interior that takes advantage of natural light. It employs a geothermal system integrated with radiant heating and cooling in the floors.

Renovation begins this summer and new construction is scheduled for September, ready for classes in spring 2012.

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