The School of Architecture has been located in various portions of Slocum Hall on the Syracuse University campus since its construction in 1917.  As its faculty evolved with the modern movement, a contentious relationship ensued with their rather banal Beaux Arts building. It was heavily modified over time, with much of its architectural quality lost to previous insensitive renovations. Ultimately, the school chose to remain in Slocum Hall because of its pivotal location at the center of campus among arts and engineering disciplines.

Prior to the renovation, the School formulated a broad programmatic mandate to reflect the creative potential of architecture, to make architecture visible on campus, to reinforce collegiality and interdisciplinary study, and to demonstrate to its students the fundamental principles of form and construction.