Refurbished Skinner Hall dedicated

The School of Nursing’s refurbished and expanded Skinner Hall, a 1940s-era building that has been updated with state-of-the-art laboratories, energy-efficient construction features, new offices and classrooms, was dedicated Oct. 2.

The project of just under $20 million added a new, two-story 11,600-square-foot wing to the existing four-story building. The new wing adds an eight-bed hospital instruction lab, eight-station examination lab, and five hospital simulation suites with robotic patient simulators. The facility will help nursing faculty stay at the forefront of their fields and prepare students to deliver 21st century health care.

Speakers at the dedication included Chancellor Robert C. Holub, President Jack M. Wilson, state Sen. Stanley Rosenberg (D-Amherst) and Jean Swinney, interim dean of the School of Nursing.

Thoughtful remodeling preserved the architectural integrity of this significant piece of campus history while updating it with sustainable and energy-saving building technologies such as sensor-controlled ventilation. Exterior walls and the light-colored metal roof (for maximum solar reflection) are now super insulated to reduce heat loss. New floors in common areas feature vegetable-based sheeting, while many interior finishes use environmentally friendly recycled materials.

Designer/architects for the renovation were Anshen + Allen + Rothman of Boston and the contractor was Fontaine Brothers, Inc. of Springfield. In addition to $19.65 million from the University of Massachusetts Building Authority, the project was supported by gifts from more than 50 individual donors totaling $350,000.

October 5, 2009.

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