AMHERST, Mass.—The Old Chapel Student and Event Center at UMass Amherst for the University of Massachusetts Building Authority was recently recognized with a 2019 William D. Smith Memorial Awards for Accessible Design from The Boston Society of Architects.

The program recognizes excellence in design for creating equal access to these important spaces for all to use and enjoy. The design involved creative interventions to achieve universal access while also respecting, restoring and transforming them for contemporary uses.

Finegold Architects was the architect on this $14.3 million project that was completed in March 2019. Barr and Barr Inc. was the contractor.

Old Chapel at UMass Amherst underwent an extensive renovation to transform the building from a shuttered former library and place of assembly into an exciting student and event center with flexible, accessible spaces for a variety of uses.

“It was important that the renovation was respectfully done to preserve the historic character while providing universal access to the facility,” said Regan Shields Ives, principal at Finegold Alexander Architects.

The Old Chapel was originally built in 1884 as a library, classroom and assembly space. It was closed to the public in 1999 due to code and access deficiencies.

In 2014, Finegold Alexander was hired and began the process of evaluating the building for both restoration and rehabilitation. Preserve UMass, the Massachusetts Historic Commission, and the Amherst Accessibility Advisory Committee were all included in the overall process of determining what would be the best redesign and use of the building.

The original building entry was completely inaccessible both inside and out as stairs were the only means to navigate level changes. To solve the problem, the team designed a new main entry on the south elevation of the building and created an integrated landscaped ramp and terrace.

The new glass entry allows the addition of a contemporary accessible entrance without disturbing the historic fabric. Inside, an elevator was discretely inserted to connect all three levels of the building. These design improvements allowed the building’s performance goals to be met while still preserving the distinctive features of the Old Chapel.  New energy efficient mechanical systems, windows, and insulation contributed to the LEED Gold certification.

Other elements of the Old Chapel renovation include reconfigured program spaces with access and code compliant doorways, accessible toilet rooms, improved lighting, audio-visual and acoustic upgrades, including assistive listening devices, and accessible signage.

“Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Old Chapel is a historic icon for the University.  Located in the heart of campus, along two pedestrian thoroughfares, it was especially important that the renovation was sensitively done to preserve the historic character while providing universal access to the facility,” explained Jim Alexander, Senior Principal at Finegold Alexander Architects.

In a statement, the Award jury said, “The Old Chapel is proof that accessible design and historic buildings do not have to be at odds with each other. The interventions are thoughtful, appearing as though they have always been there. Even the entry ramp is beautiful—harmoniously and elegantly meeting the existing chapel and its landscape.”

Consultants on the project included ART Engineering Corp.; Arup; Crabtree McGrath Associates; Fuss & O’Neill EnviroScience; Jensen Hughes; Kessler McGuiness & Associates; Massachusetts Historical Commission; Preservation Technology Associates; Preserve UMass; RSE Associates; Stefura Associates; STIMSON; The Green Engineer; VHB; VJ Associates.

The post Historic Massachusetts Student Event Center Project Receives Design Award appeared first on School Construction News.

“The LEED Building program exemplifies our commitment to sustainable development principles by lowering carbon emissions associated with construction, and demonstrates our focus on healthy, energy efficient and durable construction that reduces operating costs and prioritizes sustainable practices,” said Shane Conklin, associate vice chancellor for facilities and campus services, in a statement.

Built in 1885, the Old Chapel was designed by Steven C. Earle in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. The Old Chapel’s original structure consists of local timber and stone such as Pelham granite and Longmeadow sandstone. Since the 19th century, the building had undergone various use-case scenarios — from being a library and an auditorium, to a natural history collections and even a marching band rehearsal space.

The Old Chapel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015, and work began on a $21 million renovation, addition and preservation effort to restore the building after it had been shuttered in 1999 due to structural deterioration.

UMass Amherst and the UMass Building Authority hired Finegold Alexander Architects of Boston to design the restoration with an eye to preserving the building’s history as well as making upgrades align with the university’s vision for sustainability. Much of the original building material was used in the revitalized building including 83 percent of structural masonry, wood columns, beams, trusses and wainscoting trim. And 82 percent of new wood products were either locally sourced or Forest Stewardship Council (CSC) certified.

The renovated Old Chapel now boasts a student study, gallery exhibitions and community events on its first floor and a Great Hall suitable for performances, lectures, receptions and weddings.

The Old Chapel renovation is the 11th project within a sustainable building program at UMass Amherst that includes 10 other facilities totaling approximately 1.155 million gross square feet of LEED-certified space. With six more registered projects undergoing certification, sustainably designed buildings are projected to make up 13 percent of the total UMass Amherst building stock.

This October, the Old Chapel will receive a commendation from the Victorian Society in America, a national, non-profit organization committed to historic preservation, protection, understanding, education regarding the nation’s 19th century heritage, for its “comprehensive exterior restoration and adaptive use of the interior.”

The building “was the subject of a thoughtful planning process to find a contemporary use for the structure while preserving as much of the original architectural fabric as possible,” the society noted in a statement. “The goal was admirably accomplished by the subsequent rehabilitation that has met the highest standards of conservation practice.”

The award will be presented on Oct. 7 in New York City. As Conklin added in his statement, “Our campus and buildings serve as an invaluable educational tool for students to learn from innovative design, construction and maintenance practices that model community sustainability.”

The post Old Chapel at UMass Amherst Receives LEED Gold Certification appeared first on School Construction News.