Bridgeport, CT



After years of unprecedented national growth, enrollment at Housatonic Community College had finally become stagnant due to lack of program space for classes. The State of Connecticut realized the need for Housatonic to continue to offer educational options for the Greater Bridgeport Community and authorized a large renovation and addition project. In late 2006, Newfield began full gut and renovation of the 150,000 square foot former Sears Department Store, as well as 25,000 square feet of new construction and a 3,500 square foot renovation of the existing 200-seat Performing Arts Center.

The completed facility will house the Behavioral and Social Science, Business and Humanities departments with 30 classrooms, 10 computer classrooms and 100 station open computer labs, foreign language and ESL labs and special purpose rooms. In addition, the bookstore, cafeteria, wellness center and student life offices will be centered around a lobby atrium bringing community members into a brightly lit and welcoming space. Formal study as well as informal social lounge areas will serve as student gathering niches and a wellness center for staff and students will be located near the main entrance. A large events space will have the ability to support programming for up to 500 people and display space for the college’s extensive art collection will be integrated throughout the facility.