Our second major project at Housatonic Community College (HCC) consisted of a new 4-story, 47,000sf addition and 25,000sf phased renovation. This project strictly adhered to Connecticut’s High-Performance Building Standards and LEED Silver Certification. The renovation included the library, student services suites, an academic support center, media services, science and math spaces, and the creation of a new surgical tech program. The addition included a new “Welcome Center,” student services suites, multi-purpose rooms, classrooms, computer labs, and the College’s Art Department.
A renovation of the existing central plant, including new chillers and boilers, was also completed, with fresh domestic water, fire, sanitary, and gas services tied into the new addition. Because of the College’s expensive art collection, these services needed to be routed around the existing lobby and art gallery, requiring complex MEP coordination. Electrical services included underground duct bank and maintenance hole system, transformers, and telecom. New rooftop handling units were also installed.
This urban site allowed virtually no laydown area and needed a creative place logistics plan to accommodate construction. Also included were extensive site clearing and earthwork, a new connector to the parking area, a recent vehicular drop-off loop, curb cuts, handicapped spaces, ramps with handrails, integrated planting beds, a hardscape terrace, and several trees.
As CM at Risk, Newfield worked closely with the State of Connecticut’s Department of Construction Services, HCC, and Amenta Emma Architects to develop budgets, schedules, logistics, and phasing plans for this year-round and evening-occupied campus building.