Thompson Turner Construction was selected as Construction Manager at Risk for the Capers Hall Replacement at The Citadel, a transformative academic facility located in the heart of downtown Charleston. The project involved the complete demolition of the original 50,000 SF building—deteriorated by age and water intrusion—down to its foundational piers. In its place, TTC constructed a resilient, three-story, 97,500 SF structure designed to honor The Citadel’s Moorish architectural heritage with a white stucco façade and restored iron-frame light fixtures, while delivering state-of-the-art academic and student-centered spaces.
Now home to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the new Capers Hall features 39 technology-rich classrooms with flexible layouts, lecture studios, a 250-seat performing arts auditorium, an art gallery, studio spaces, student lounges, conference rooms, and faculty offices. Purpose-built to support Criminal Justice and Intelligence & Security Studies programs, the building includes a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) for secure intelligence training and the King & Spalding Legal Studies Classroom—a fully outfitted mock courtroom used for trial advocacy and law enforcement education through The Citadel’s Inn of Court program.
Student wellness and collaboration were prioritized throughout the design, with casual lounge areas, quiet study nooks, and a spacious central plaza that enhances connectivity across campus. From a technical perspective, TTC addressed significant site and floodplain challenges by implementing a deep foundation system with precast concrete piles, wellpoint dewatering, and an elevated structural slab. Stormwater management was enhanced with permeable pavers and upgraded drainage systems.
Sustainability was integral to the project. Materials from the original building were recycled for the new foundation and parking areas, and a rooftop photovoltaic system was installed to offset energy use, supporting the building’s pursuit of LEED Silver certification. The result is a high-performing, future-ready academic facility that blends tradition with innovation and serves as a hub for academic excellence, leadership development, and student well-being.
