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New Chapter for UMass Chapel

A beloved university landmark is revived

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Old Chapel Student Center

University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Amherst, Massachusetts

The Old Chapel at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, the University’s most recognizable building, has been transformed into a vibrant venue for campus activities and events.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 1884 granite building had fallen into disrepair by the 1990’s and was shuttered. To breathe new life into the building, Finegold Alexander developed a program for two multi-functional spaces to foster student collaboration and to host major events including lectures, banquets and theatrical productions. To ensure the preservation of historic fabric, all new systems were woven into the existing building fabric and a new subgrade mechanical vault was located adjacent to the building. An elegant glass pavilion and terrace provide universal access for the UMass community and signify a new entrance to the Old Chapel.

(Photo credit: Robert Benson Photography)

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Size
15,000 SF
Scope
Historic Preservation, Renovation, Addition
Program
Multi-Purpose Room, Great Hall, Catering Kitchen, Meeting Room
Sustainability
LEED Gold Certified
Awards
2017 Victorian Society in America Commendation Award
2017 Engineering News Record, Best Restoration, Renovation
2017 Massachusetts Historic Commission, Preservation Awards
2017 SCUP Award, Design Excellence, Renovation, Restoration
2019 Boston Society of Architects, William D. Smith Memorial Award for Accessible Design
In the news
FA’s Accessible Designs are Recognized by the BSA
Project EUI
College students walking and skateboarding by new glass accessible entrance the UMass Amherst's Old Chapel.
Students studying and socializing in lounge chairs and at tables in an open space with thin wooden columns and a large screen to the right.
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“The interpretation of the building, its purpose and its function, and its overwhelming positive contribution to life and learning on our campus cannot be overstated.”
Chancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy

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Second floor hallway with wooden doors to the left, an opening down to the first floor, and two students near the red elevator shaft in the background.
Two students studying, shot through an arched window with renovated glass detailing and wooden base-boards.
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The total interior renovation of this historic building included roof restoration and insulation at the walls based on dewpoint and WUFI analysis. Designed to achieve a 21% energy savings over Code, with a focus on energy recovery, the project achieved LEED Gold. Finegold Alexander worked with ARUP to locate and design an underground utility vault outside of the building footprint, enabling the use of the ground floor for program space and preserving the open green above.

Student descending wooden staircase with multiple arched windows preserved in the background.
People sitting and standing in rows of black chais under luminous and tall wooden ceiling structure.
University of Massachusetts, Old Chapel, glowing at dusk.
Drone shot of University of Massachusetts' Old Chapel in the summer, with the curved terrace providing access to the new glass entrance.
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"The requests [to use] the space have been overwhelming — and that doesn’t even include student requests. We have received about 175 requests for the academic year so far this summer, and we expect student requests to increase as soon as they arrive on campus."
Melissa Cleary, Manager, UMASS Old Chapel
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