Higher Education

Catholic University has selected Sebesta Blomberg & Associates' Washington office to provide commissioning services for a 100,000-sf student union named Pryzbyla Center.

Having sold $97.2 million in bonds in July, Swathmore College will renovate its campus science center and build a 150-bed residence hall.

The University of Phoenix has contracted Braintree-based Integrated Builders to build its 13,000-sf Braintree satellite campus, with Grossman Cos. Inc.of Quincy providing site development.

The Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering has selected Space Plan Interiors as interior designer for its 70-acre Needham campus. Slated for completion in early 2002, four buildings totalling 300,000-sf will be programmed, designed, and furnished by Space Plan Interiors.

Drexel University in Philadelphia has contracted Burt Hill Kosar Rittelmann Associates to design a new $30 million, 150,000-sf, five-story research building. 

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum designed by HOK Inc. is now under construction. Ground was broken on February 12 on the Springfield, Ill., facility which replaces the existing library currently housed in the basement of the Old State Capitol building. Creating a comprehensive public experience featuring the life of Abraham Lincoln, the 99,600-sf library will serve as the archival facility to preserve and protect the collection of books and documents on the legends of Lincoln.

Harvard University is building an apartment style, 360-bed graduate student housing facility in Allston, Mass. The $85 million project, developed by Bond Bros. Inc., features a 15-story tower.

McCarthy Building Companies Inc. has completed the first phase of construction on the Columbia River Maritime Museum, the first nationally accredited maritime museum in the Northwest. Located in Astoria, Ore., the museum remained open during the 11-month construction project targeted for completion in October 2001. Phase I involved a 2,500-sf expansion and a 15,000-sf renovation providing space for an updated library, a state-of-the-art archive facility and new office space.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute's 72,000-sf campus center was completed by Cutler Associates, a design-build firm based in Worcester. Boston-based Shepley, Bullfinch, Richardson and Abbott designed the project.

Harvard Medical School is building a 430,000-sf research facility in Boston. Developed by William A. Berry & Son, Inc., the $250 million project includes a 196,000-sf parking garage and will by used by Harvard Medical School and collaborative tenants.  

The University of Pennsylvania is planning to build a new three to five-story, 1,000-student dorm in addition to renovation of 12 existing dorms. The $250 million project, designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox of New York, involves internal restructuring of the residential high rises, creating more social and common space. Stouffler Triangle, an existing dorm and dining building, will be demolished by 2001 as a site for a new dining facility.

Notre Dame High School is building Manley Hall, a $14 million, 34,000-sf facility with fiber-optic technology housing physics, chemistry, biology and computer labs, classrooms, administrative space, and a library. Located in downtown San Jose, the all-female college-preparatory high school has selected general contractor Blach Construction of Santa Clara, Ca., and architects Anderson-Brule of San Jose. The building is slated for completion by 2002.  

Emmanuel College in Boston has partnered with Merck & Co. Inc. on a planned 300,000-sf research center. The Merck-owned facility on Emmanuel's 16-acre campus will foster a relationship between the college's biology students and Merck.   

Emerson College is planning several new developments, including a new residence hall and college center housing additional athletic and student activity space. Adjacent to the Majestic Theatre, Emerson has planned a $30 million, 11-story performance and production center containing offices, classrooms, laboratories, a television studio, an exhibition area, two small theaters, and dressing rooms for the Majestic, which will also be renovated.  

Boston College is undertaking several campus projects, including a $90 million renovation of the Higgins Science Building estimated to reach completion in fall of 2002. Construction has begun on a $36 million, 156,000-sf office facility on the lower campus, with plans for a $120 million development of three interconnected buildings (housing classrooms, offices, student services, and an auditorium) to follow.