Built in 1920, the red-brick and stone-accented structure stands three stories tall along Winter Street on the western edge of the campus that was originally a residence for women only.

Willamette University's president Thomas Van Scoy purchased the building in 1880 to serve as the school's Women's College.

[3][4] The building was modified and moved from the corner of Capital and Court streets to the north of campus to the western edge of the school from 1880 to 1881.

[6] Originally named as Young Women's Hall, it was renamed for the ship Lausanne that brought additional missionaries and workers to the Methodist Mission in 1839.

[20] Nominated by the student government, it was believed to be the oldest dormitory west of the Mississippi River,[20] but the hall was not added to the list.

[2] Prior to the remodel, about 50 residents protested in a march to the university president's office over complaints regarding the decision process.

[1] In September 2003, the building was evacuated due to a suspicious package found at neighboring Doney Hall that turned out to be a false alarm.

[22] Lausanne was designed by architect Fred A. Legge, a Willamette alumnus, in the Late Gothic Revival style.

[20] Housing up to 152 people, the hall includes a kitchen, a lounge, and common areas that have a piano and pool table.