Vassar College
New England Building
Project Overview
- Fast-track summer slammer completed on time, despite unexpected foundation issues that created a four-month delay
- Significant amount of self-perform millwork was done to replicate the original details of the building’s design
- Careful planning and protection of historic features such as a piece of the Plymouth Rock that is embedded into the building’s façade
Originally built in 1901, Vassar’s New England Building was designed to house the College’s natural sciences department and had been reconfigured into a general academic classroom building. This fast-track summer renovation returned the building back to its scientific roots, revitalizing the interior spaces to house the College’s psychology department. Project scope included both interior and exterior renovations to include new faculty offices, research rooms and updated classrooms.
Structural issues occurred during the project that required a replacement of the entire foundation of the building and lowering the basement elevation by two feet. Despite this four-month set back, the project team was able to accelerate other aspects of the project in order to reach the owner’s completion date and allow students to utilize the building for the fall semester.
A significant amount of detailed trim work was recreated by Consigli’s in-house Millwork Shop to replicate the original look and feel of the building. Self-performed trades included metal framing, millwork, window restoration and installation of doors, frames and specialty items.
