Book Navigation Links
Old Chapel Renovation (2017)
Built in 1885, the Old Chapel is the most iconic and significant historic building on the UMass Amherst campus. Designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, the building originally housed a library, auditorium, and classrooms. It later became home to the Minuteman Marching Band in the 1960s, before officially closing its doors in 1996.
The Chapel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015, and began a $21 million renovation, addition, and preservation effort to restore the building to its original glory. The revitalized Chapel now serves students, faculty, and alumni as a venue for performances, receptions, weddings, and gallery exhibitions. The Old Chapel demonstrates how aspects of historic preservation and sustainability can work together in a renovation project.
Building Information
Address: 144 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA 01003-9273
Completed: Spring 2017
Size: 17,000 GSF
Designer / Architect: Finegold Alexander Architects, Inc.
Construction Manager: Barr & Barr, Inc.
Owner's Project Manager: STV / DPM
UMass Project Manager: Thomas Huf, Douglas Marshall, Ludmilla Pavlova-Gillham
UMass Project Planners: Jeff Quackenbush
Sustainability
Resources
LEED Project Scorecard
LEED Project Dashboard
Green Building Brochure
Green Building Tour Guide
Indoor Air Quality
- Developed and implemented an Indoor Air Quality Plan during construction and before occupancy
- Low-VOC flooring, paints, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and composite wood
- Individual lighting and temperature controls allow occupants to make adjustments for maximum comfort
- Pollutant-collecting floor mats, HVAC filters, and isolated chemical storage ensure personal health and safety
- Thermal comfort survey administered to building occupants following project completion
- 99% of regularly occupied areas have access to exterior views and natural daylight
Materials + Resources
- Reused 83% of existing structural elements
- Diverted 84% of construction wastes from landfill
- 82% of new wood products are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified
Innovation in Design
- High efficiency LED light fixtures
- Active green building public education programs
- Comprehensive Transportation Management Plan
Water Efficiency
- Anticipating a 34% reduction in potable water use via low-flow plumbing fixtures
- Water efficient landscaping improves site ecology without permanent irrigation methods
Sustainable Sites
- Brownfield redevelopment
- Stormwater Management Plan includes a detention and infiltration system to reduce quantity, and improve quality of runoff from site
- Compact building footprint maximizes open green space
- Walkable to a library, hotel, restaurants, and other community services. Easy access to eight PVTA campus bus routes
- Green Housekeeping Program
- Campuswide parking policy with discounts for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles
Energy & Atmosphere
- Cut overall energy use by 21% through added insulation, exhaust air recovery, improved interior and exterior lighting power density, and variable speed pumping on chilled and hot water distribution
- Implemented enhanced commissioning to ensure that the building’s systems perform as intended post-occupancy
Photo Gallery
| 
|
| 
|
| 
|
| 
|
| 
|
Media
Videos
Some History of Old Chapel at UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst - 11/30/2017
UMass Reopens Old Chapel After Extensive Renovation
WWLP-22News - 8/3/2017
Old Chapel at UMass Amherst
Joshua Murray - 3/22/2017
The Old Chapel is Back in Business
uvctv - 3/3/2017
Old Chapel Renovation Update
UMass Amherst - 8/25/2016
Old Chapel Construction Update
UMass Amherst - 3/30/2016
Old Chapel at UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst Libraries - 4/22/2014
Big Plans for UMass Old Chapel
Christina Gregg - 1/14/2014
The Old Chapel - UMass Amherst
Meghan Allen - 4/9/2013
Articles
Finegold Alexander Architects Wins Award for Old Chapel Renovation
High Profile - 3/2/2018
Old Chapel at UMass. Recognized by Mass. Historical Commission
New England Real Estate Journal - 12/15/2017
Old Chapel Deemed Best Renovation and Restoration Project
The Massachusetts Daily Collegian - 11/27/2017
UMass Amherst Honored for Old Chapel Renovation
The Boston Globe - 11/10/2017
UMass Reopens Old Chapel After Extensive Renovation
22 News - 8/3/2017
Something Old, Something New
The Magazine of the University of Massachusetts Amherst - n.d.
18 Years After Being Shut Down for Safety Concerns, UMass Amherst's Old Chapel Comes Back to Life
MassLive - 3/6/2017
UMass Amherst's Old Chapel Reopens After $21M Renovation
The Boston Globe - 2/24/2017
UMass Amherst Icon Gets New Lease on Life
The Boston Globe - 10/28/2016
UMass’ Old Chapel to Become New Once Again
The Massachusetts Daily Collegian - 9/9/2015
Photo Tour: Old Chapel at UMass Amherst Reveals Bright Future, Interesting Past
MassLive - 10/25/2013
Renovating the Old Chapel
UMass Amherst Alumni Association - n.d.
Old Chapel Is Part of New Building Boom at UMass Amherst
WAMC Northeast Public Radio - 5/17/2017
UMass Rededicates Old Chapel after $21 Million Renovation
Amherst Bulletin - 4/1/2017
Historic Old Chapel at UMass Comes Back to Life
The Daily Hampshire Gazette - 2/26/2017
New Design Building, Renovations to Old Chapel and South College Completed
UMass Amherst News & Media Relations - 1/26/2017
UMass Amherst's Old Chapel Honored with State Historic Preservation Award
UMass Amherst News & Media Relations - 11/9/2017
Old Chapel at UMass Amherst Receives LEED Gold Certification
UMass Amherst News and Media Relations - 8/24/2017
Victorian Society Honors Old Chapel Renovation
UMass Amherst News & Media Relations - 8/2/2017
Old Chapel Open for Study, Relaxation
UMass Amherst News & Media Relations - 2/23/2017
UMass Amherst’s Old Chapel Named to National Register of Historic Places
UMass Amherst News & Media Relations - 6/10/2015
UMass Amherst Old Chapel Renovation
Finegold Alexander Architects, Inc. - n.d.