South College (2017)

 Certified LEED NC v2009 Gold

The original South College building was designed by Severance of Boston and completed in 1867. Located at the campus core near Goodell Hall and the Old Chapel, the building served as a male dormitory for 47 students, and also contained classrooms, reading rooms, and a natural history collection. South College was destroyed by an accidental fire. A replacement South College building was designed by Hartford, Connecticut based architect William Brocklesby and was completed for the 1886-1887 school year on its original site and foundation. The new building’s Chateauesque style features a granite foundation, red brick exterior, and traditional asphalt shingle roof. Like its predecessor, the exterior reflected a multipurpose interior. Once again housing student dormitories and classrooms as well as the Biology Department, administrative offices, a meteorological observatory, and a museum of specimens.

Additional renovations include the fireproofing renovations completed in 1939 by architect Louis Warren Ross. As well as a major renovation, restoration, and addition project from 2014-2017 with DiMella Shaffer and Kliment Halsband Architects. Portions of the existing building were restored to their original materials. All mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems were updated, including the installation of new life-safety alarms and sprinklers. The facility was also brought up to accessibility code in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

A four-story, 60,000 S.F. addition to South College was constructed on the west side of the building. Massing and materials were carefully selected to complement the original historic structure. The new extension is designed to facilitate accessibility to campus and through the building, with main entrances located on all four sides. The addition includes common areas, faculty offices, and classrooms with state-of-the-art audiovisual communications systems. A three-story, central atrium celebrates the intersection of the old and new. The $65 million project was financed by UMass through the University of Massachusetts Building Authority (UMBA).

Together, the renovation and addition house the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, including the Dean's office, HFA Advising, and departments of English, Philosophy, Art History, and Women, Gender & Sexual Studies.

Building Information

Address: 150 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA 01003-9274
Completed: Spring 2017
Size: 60,000 GSF Addition
Designer / Architect: Kliment Halsband Architects and DiMella Shaffer
Landscape Architect: Towers-Golde, LLC.
Construction Manager: Daniel O'Connell's Sons, Inc
Owner's Project Manager: Hill International, Inc.
UMass Project Manager: Henry Merriman
UMass Project Planners: Jeff Dalzell, Thomas Huf, Ludmilla Pavlova-Gillham

Sustainability

Resources

LEED Project Dashboard
Green Building Brochure

Indoor Air Quality

• Developed and implemented an Indoor Air Quality Plan during construction and before occupancy
• Low-VOC adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, and flooring systems
• CO2 sensors ensure adequate fresh air is provided to densely-occupied interior spaces
• Thermal comfort survey will be administered to building occupants following project completion

Materials + Resources

• Preserved and restored the original South College building
• Aiming to divert over 75% of construction wastes from landfill
• 10% of building materials contain recycled content and were extracted, processed, and manufactured regionally
• 50% of wood products are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified

Innovation in Design

• Green Housekeeping Program
• Active green building public education programs

Water Efficiency

• Water efficient landscaping and low flow plumbing fixtures reduce potable water usage

Sustainable Sites

• Sitework strategy preserved historic legacy trees
• Drought-tolerant native plantings require minimal maintenance and no permanent irrigation methods
• Walkable to a library, hotel, restaurants, and other community services. Easy access to six campus bus stops and eleven PVTA bus lines
• Provided increased bike storage with shower and changing facilities onsite
• Campuswide parking policy with discounts for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles

Energy & Atmosphere

• Aims to cut overall energy use by 30% through a high performance addition building envelope, thermally improved existing building, low-e insulated glazing, energy recovery ventilators with dual enthalpy economizers, and using hot and chilled water from the Central Utility Plant
• Projecting a 55% reduction in lighting power density via occupancy sensors, daylight dimming controls, and high-efficiency LED light fixtures
• Enhanced commissioning ensures that building systems perform as intended post-occupancy
• Metering and sub-metering of energy use monitors building performance over time

Photo Gallery

All images courtesy of Ryan Rendano.

Media

Videos

Expanded South College is Open for Learning
UMass Amherst - 4/19/2017

UMass Celebrates the Renovation of the Sough College Building
WWLP-22News - 4/13/2017

Newly Renovated South College Opens at UMass
James Villalobos - 2/13/2017

Articles

UMass Celebrates the Renovations of the South College Building
22 News - 4/13/2017

New Buildings on Campus Reflect Changing Academic Styles
Amherst Wire - 11/1/2016

Goodell Hall, South College Next to Undergo Renovations
The Massachusetts Daily Collegian - 9/9/2014

University of Massachusetts Amherst South College
Kliment Halsband Architects - n.d.

South College Academic Facility
DiMella Shaffer - n.d.

South College
The College of Humanities and Fine Arts - n.d.

Construction, Renovation Projects Continue as Classes Resume
UMass Amherst News & Media Relations - 8/31/2016 

New Design Building, Renovations to Old Chapel and South College Completed
UMass Amherst News & Media Relations - 1/26/2017

UMass Reopens One of its Oldest Buildings 
Daily Hampshire Gazette - 4/17/2017

Saying Goodbye to "Old" South College 
The College of Humanities and Fine Arts - 8/26/2014 

Ceremony Marks Renovation, Expansion of South College
UMass Amherst News & Media Relations - 4/13/2017