The O'Connell Companies

Architect:

Ennead Architects

Client:

Vassar College

Scope Of Work

The centerpiece of this project was construction of the new Bridge Building spanning across the Fonteyn Kill and connecting to Olmsted Hall with a two-level skywalk. The project also encompassed renovations of the historic New England Building, Sanders Physics, and Olmsted Hall.

New 80,000-SF steel-truss Bridge Building grounded on three foundation piers.

Suspended levels supported from HSS pipe steel hangers from the cantilevered girders below the truss.

Truss members shop assembled and hoisted in place in very long sections.

Complicated radial geometry with alignments between the interior and exterior work.

Sections of the building pre-loaded to force deflection out for façade elements.

Metal and glass curtainwall, fiber cement panels, curving aluminum panels, and a bluestone masonry veneer façade.

Multi-story lobby with polished concrete floors.

Two levels of lab and classroom space, faculty offices, gathering areas and café.

HVAC system combines general and lab exhaust, which are 100% exhausted at the penthouse level.

Unusual fire rated assemblies incorporated where dampers could not be used.

Complete underpinning of the 1904 New England Building foundation.

New England Building classroom space renovations and high-efficiency MEP systems.

Renovations at Olmsted Hall and the Sanders Physics Building updated classroom and faculty space.

New connector between Olmsted Hall and the Bridge Building.

Major expansion of the college’s central chiller plant.

Expansive landscaping overhaul.

Demolition of the Mudd Chemistry Building.

 Silver (pending)

Awards:  AIA/CAE Educational Facility Design Award of Excellence, Chicago Athenaeum Award for American Architecture Merit Award, AIA/NY Merit Award, AIA/NY COTE Award

Architect Rendering – Video Tour