The Hotchkiss School Infrastructure Upgrades
January 31st, 2022
Our work at The Hotchkiss School, an independent boarding and day school located in Lakeville, Connecticut, has always involved bringing multiple design disciplines together. Our work on campus began in 2017, when EDM was brought in to address issues with the roof drainage on an existing building – redesigning the gutter systems, adjacent walkways and patio to resolve a dangerous winter icing problem.
Based on the success of the initial project, The Hotchkiss School approached EDM’s integrated architectural/engineering team to plan, design and implement a series of infrastructure improvements at four dormitory buildings on campus: Buehler Hall, Wieler Hall, Tinker Hall and Coy Hall. Deferred maintenance and life safety were the drivers as these buildings were outfitted with inefficient steam boilers that were prone to breaking. Beyond upgrading to hot water heating systems, our engineering teams proactively identified opportunities for additional upgrades including radiant heating panels and energy conservation upgrades, which could be simultaneously undertaken as part of the design.
Buehler Hall
Chris Wante, Project Manager
Working in the context of Hotchkiss’ very symmetrical and constantly occupied campus, EDM brought a careful – described by Project Manager Chris Wante as ‘surgical’ – approach to the infrastructure upgrades.
“There are a lot of moving parts and pieces on a project like this,” describes Chris. “Work has to be carefully phased, because construction directly impacts when you start classes and where you move students. There is not a lot of room for error.”
Starting with Buehler Hall, EDM designed a multi-phase infrastructure improvement program that was constructed over the course of three summers to replace the heating systems, piping and ductwork.
“The architecture follows the systems work on projects like these,” Chris said. “The perspective of our MEP engineers helps us seamlessly blend these newly introduced features with the eccentricities of a 130+ year old institution – almost as if they were always there.”
Wieler Hall
EDM’s work on Buehler set the tone for the following project at Wieler Hall, where heating systems were upgraded, sprinklers were added, and ceiling panels and lighting were replaced throughout the building. With minimal architectural impacts, this project was completed during a single phase of construction.
Renovations to Tinker Hall are underway. Construction – scheduled to start this summer – will unfold similarly to how it did at its sister dormitory, Buehler Hall. Work at Coy Hall, the last of the four buildings, will be carefully staggered so that design starts as the third phase of construction completes.
“Summer slammers … if you know you know,” laughed Chris. “We’re used to working at schools – and know how to plan a lot of activity into a super compressed time frame. You have to be out there on site to coordinate with contractors… things are being done right up to the last minute. You start on the punchlist as soon as you’re able to – in sections – to keep it all moving.”
