Expansion of the Ronald McDonald House in downtown Louisville involved 2 phases of construction. First was the renovation of the Richardsonian Romanesque Louisville School of Medicine, designed by renowned Louisville firm Clarke & Loomis, opened in 1893. This ‘South Wing’ of the expanded facility accommodates a commercial kitchen, dining area, play room, sitting room, shared living rooms and guest kitchens, and 25 guest rooms.

The second phase was renovation of the existing building, now the ‘North Wing’, begun only after the South Wing was open for guests so that the charity could remain in operation throughout construction. The North Wing had been a 1937 addition to the School of Medicine, designed by DX Murphy & Sons. The North Wing was renovated for entry/reception, administrative offices, shared living rooms, and 31 guest rooms.

The phased renovation was designed to meet requirements of the National Park Service so that the charity could make use of over $1.5m in Historic Tax Credits. At the same time, the organization wanted to offer its guest families a comforting, welcoming lodging experience, equivalent to contemporary hospitality offerings in the city.

Through careful restoration of the limited interior historic fabric remaining and fabrication of themed elements for purposes of identity, zoning of spaces, lively color, and finer-grained details, these potentially conflicting goals were integrated. Guest rooms, kitchens, and other amenities were accommodated while maintaining the character of significant spaces and elements the National Park Service determined to be important. All work was limited to the interior, except for limited exterior repairs, leaving the exterior of the building unaltered.