Fitchburg State University - Various Projects

+ Overview

• Russell Towers Residence Hall: Significant improvements were made to this eight-story student residence complex through a series of tightly scheduled, phased renovations. It was critical to mobilize for the crucial summer construction period when the building stood vacant, allowing students to move in at the start of classes in September with light, non-disruptive interior work continuing until November. Russell Towers now boasts a new entry addition with reception, student lounges, common spaces, extensive site improvements with new pedestrian street and green space, and room reconfiguration, including creation of suites to accommodate a total of 424 beds. Window replacements and improvements to MEP/FP systems were also necessary components of the project.

• Holmes Dining Hall: This project was centered around making major interior upgrades to the dining hall and servery, improving accessibility, abating asbestos, and upgrading outdated infrastructure and kitchen equipment. Completing work without interrupting the primary food service operation on campus was a major construction challenge. The construction took place over two phases, in successive summers. To create a positive dining experience, this renovation included a completely upgraded servery and a dining space with pleasing lighting, colors and finishes. Another goal of the university was to connect the two sides of this campus, with residential on one side and academics on the other, which are bisected by a busy roadway. The dining hall, suspended over that roadway, was a natural connector and was reconfigured with accessible entries on both ends of the building. A glass-walled, connecting pedestrian corridor was created, allowing students to have safe access at all times while still providing transparency and openness in all student areas.

+ Project Details

• Client Massachusetts State College Building Authority + Fitchburg State University
• Project Type Renovation

+ Awards

• Russell Towers: 2005 Best Accessible Design Award, Massachusetts Architectural Access Board