The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) recently awarded the design-build team of Cutler Associates, Inc. and Finegold Alexander + Associates Inc the prestigious National Design-Build Merit Award for its recent new residence hall project at Mount Ida College. The award was presented at the 2009 Design-Build Conference on November 6, 2009.

 

Dr. Carol Matteson, President of Mount Ida College, and David Healy, Vice President for Finance and Administration, joined Rod Shaffert of Cutler Associates and Jim Alexander of Finegold Alexander to accept the award.

 

“We are honored that the DBIA has recognized our residence hall with a national award,” said Dr. Matteson. “The successful design is a direct result of a design-build team of students, faculty, staff, builders, and architects that never strayed from the goal of creating a residence hall that enhanced the academic and personal growth of our students. It was a great exercise in listening to the needs of a community and responding with a unique and functional product.”

 

DBIA’s National Design-Build Project Awards honors the most outstanding design-build projects in the world for their advanced and innovative application of total integrated project delivery and finding unique solutions for project challenges. 

 

Further recognizing the success of the project, the team was also honored with an Excellence in Construction award from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Massachusetts – a nationwide program held annually to publicly recognize quality and innovation in construction.

 

Opened in July of 2008, the 36,000-square-foot residence hall is a reflection of the College’s commitment to providing its students with living and learning spaces that encourage academic and personal growth. Through collaborative planning meetings involving faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and students, an innovative “pod” design emerged, which created small communities of 22 students who live in different types and sizes of rooms surrounding a common bath area. Lounges and study alcoves are located in a glass bridge that connects the two residential wings. 

 

Reflecting the College’s commitment to environmental responsibility, the new complex incorporates sustainable design and construction concepts equivalent to the requirements of LEED Silver certification.

Energy efficient features include the use of recycled materials, solar hot water, and energy-efficient lighting with intelligent controls that reduce energy use.

 

The $9 million project was completed on a 16-month overall design and construction schedule with a construction period of 11 months.