With the move of the Anthropology Department to a new building on campus, the decision was made to expand Sociology and bring in Social Studies to William James Hall, a 15 story tower by Minoru Yamasaki. A new stair was added to pull together Sociology, now encompassing three full floors. The Social Studies Department, an undergraduate concentration, looked to create a community space that would encourage students to work and study together, as well as serve as a gathering space for department events. A new seminar room with large double doors was designed to open out to the lounge and kitchen space establishing a flexible set of rooms that can be separated or joined, depending on the event or class.

The Project achieved LEED Certification