Cutler Associates recently completed the renovations of two historic residence halls in New England.  Both Mount Holyoke College and the University of New Hampshire elected to use the design-build delivery system to insure that the project was well designed, well built, met budget constraints, and strict time constraints. 

Safford Hall at Mt Holyoke College, constructed in 1897, occupies a prominent spot on Skinner Green. Utilizing the design-build delivery system, Cutler Design successfully developed a plan for upgrading the building systems within Safford Hall.  This integrated project delivery approach allowed Cutler Design to work with Mount Holyoke Facilities Staff, Residential Life, Engineers, and subcontractors to develop solutions that will provide the best value to Mt. Holyoke.

Cutler Design reprogrammed the building to transform an underutilized former dining hall space into student lounges and a ‘Golden Pear’ kitchen area.  In addition, two of the floors were redesigned to accommodate the relocation of offices and dorm rooms.  At the same time, the team addressed accessibility issues, completely updated the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, and while updating the finishes to restore the grandeur of this magnificent structure.

Fairchild Hall at the University of New Hampshire was constructed in 1915.  Cutler Associates teamed with Dimella Shaffer Architects for the largest design-build renovation project completed within the University System of New Hampshire.  The design build approach allowed both teams to work seamlessly to design and build a high quality residence hall.

This transformation provided updated building systems and amenities, while maintaining the facility’s historical character and maximizing the total bed count.  The newly renovated hall has air conditioning and is fully accessible with the addition of an elevator and a modified central entry.  The project also included replacement of the slate roof, exterior masonry repairs, and drainage improvements.

Both residential halls were successfully renovated to meet the requirements and standards of the students today while preserving the historical appearance. 

“Design-build turnaround is an ideal delivery method for historic residence hall projects where the collaborative effort of all team members is required to provide effective solutions to the challenges of these grand buildings” according to Fred Mulligan, President of Cutler Associates.