- Location: Grantham, PA
- Client: Messiah College
- Size: 57,033 sf
In response to changing student needs, this 1980s student residence was completely gutted and re-designed into contemporary student apartments for groups of three or five upperclassmen. The College’s strict requirements for phasing and permissible work periods (summer and semester breaks only), in tandem with the constraints of the existing structure, made the project a challenge for the entire design team.
The design process began with a series of meetings with College administrators, representatives from the student life and housing, and the College’s facilities staff. Throughout the design development phase, the opinions of the end users were frequently solicited and the designers were in constant communication with the College’s team. SMB&R developed a building program, schematic sketches, mechanical and electrical strategies, and a plan for phasing the project to minimize disruption to the occupants’ schedules.
During programming, the project goals quickly became apparent: to create spaces suitable for groups of three or five students by providing creative storage solutions and using space efficiently; to update the appearance of the apartments and common areas; and to work within the College’s budgetary and time restraints. Paramount in the project was the goal of improving the building’s safety through installation of a sprinkler system and emergency alarms. In addition, two fully ADA-compliant apartments were included in the building plans to better serve students.
The renovation project utilized as many “green” materials and approaches as possible, including recycled carpeting, linoleum, no-VOC paints, Energy Star certified appliances, replacement of existing windows, and energy efficient lighting and mechanical equipment.
The Fry Apartment project is the best example I can cite that shows the dedication of your team. The apartment complex was originally built in 1981 and in need of modernization and replacement of mechanical systems. From the beginning, you worked with staff and students to understand the needs for the space and helped us introduce products that were “green”. With an extremely tight schedule, you were able to distribute plans to contractors and review bids in a timely manner. You developed a plan to complete the workover two summers, and when the bids came in over the allocated funds, you helped us redefine some work to reduce cost. You worked without interruption to students, with the apartment renovations occurring within a 12 week period. Without your team’s attention to detail and willingness to coordinate work, we would never have moved students in the building on time. The attitude of your team was “together we can find a solution to any challenge”. One of the things I have appreciated in the ten-plus years I have worked with (SMB&R) is that you easily become a part of the Messiah College team. You listen to us and help us process needs and wants in a way that provides us with the best completed project possible.
--Kathrynne G. Shafer, Vice-President of Operations, Messiah College
