Project
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, FA 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.
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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
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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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FA solved the issue of inserting new, efficient mechanical systems into the historic building by creating an exterior mechanical vault to house the equipment. This allows for more usable program space within the building and the ability to create new connections between that 1st and 2nd floor never experienced before in the building’s 132-year history.
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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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