Major Projects Completed

Science Center

Completed 2018

The new Science Center is located on the eastern side of campus, on the new Greenway. The Science Center defines a place for the community of sciences. It houses the departments of biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, and psychology. The building features an open and welcoming central commons with a cafe, academic resource space, and a variety of classrooms. The building was designed by the architecture firm Payette.

Greenway Residence Halls

Completed 2016

The Greenway Residence Hall project includes four buildings that houses approximately 300 students in a variety of room types. Large windows showcase incredible views of south campus and the four buildings feature a variety of spaces such as, two-story study areas, connecting bridges, kitchens, a multi-purpose event space, and seminar/meeting rooms. The project also includes a dramatic landscape design that will feature new pathways, lawns, plantings, volleyball and basketball courts, a barbeque area, and a gathering/performance amphitheater. Kyu Sung Woo Architects designed the project, and it was completed for the Fall 2016 semester.

Baseball Field Renovation

The baseball field renovations enhanced the baseball diamond to bring it up to NCAA and NESCAC standards and resolve longstanding safety problems with the field. The project replaced the nearly 50-year-old backstop, regraded the field to ensure optimum playability, constructed dugouts that will enhance player safety and improve the press box and batting tunnels. The design is consistent with the aesthetic qualities of the campus and will preserve the beauty of the view from Memorial Hill. Construction will began in the fall of ’15 and was completed in the spring ’16 season.

79 South Pleasant Street

A historic building, originally built in 1834 as a First Baptist Church, 79 South Pleasant Street on the Town Common was updated and expanded to house the Five College Center for the Study of World Languages along with a few of Amherst College’s administrative departments, including Communications, Human Resources, and Investments. Designed by Kuhn Riddle Architects, the renovation and addition gives a careful nod to the historical importance of the building and its contemporary context while reinvigorating its presence on the Town Common.

CHI - Center for Humanistic Inquiry

Completed 2015

Amherst College's new Humanities Center is located in a completely renovated portion of Frost Library's second floor. The Center houses visiting scholars, faculty and fellows in a collaborative, digitally enhanced space. The center is open to students for study and collaboration after hours. Construction was completed in spring of 2015.

Valentine Dining Furnishings

Completed 2015

This project involved upgrading furniture in Valentine Dining Hall. New configurations feature high-top seating, booth seating, and areas of soft seating styled after a relaxed café setting. A series of focus group meetings were held with students, administration and dining services to determine the optimal configuration of table layout and seating options.

Converse Hall Renovations

Beginning in November 2013 and extending into the fall of 2014, portions of Converse Hall were renovated. Spaces previously occupied by the departments of Human Resources and Public Affairs (both relocated to 79 South Pleasant Street) were reconfigured and refurbished. This reconfiguration resulted in new work space for the Students Affairs offices on the second floor, and the Economics Department on the third floor. The prior Dean of Students space on the first floor was converted into a suite shared by the Offices of the Provost and Legal Counsel. In addition, the main lobby, corridors and other public spaces were upgraded with new finishes, lighting and signage. Behind the scenes, some of the building’s infrastructure was upgraded, including new central air handling units.

Chilled Water Plant & Distribution System Upgrades

Completed 2013

The chilled water plant project provides increased energy efficiency and air conditioning capacity on campus. The new Trane chiller and system upgrades will enable the New Science Center to maintain efficient and well controlled environment.

Pratt Field Facilities

Completed 2013

This project included a new Pratt Field, Lumley Track, athletics building, press box and grandstands. Upgrades included a new artificial turf, track accommodating NCAA events and lighting for night games.

Hitchcock House

Completed Spring 2013

This project included an energy retrofit; installing heat pumps for heating and cooling, added insulation in the attic and basement, changing the lighting and installing efficient equipment.

Seligman Renovation & Addition

Completed 2013

This new addition reflects much of the exterior detailing and patterning of the existing dormitory. Similarly, the interior design and renewal of the residence hall maintains much of the existing character of the building including exposed wooden beams and fireplaces while improving accessibility and common space functions.

Barker Room Expansion

The Barker Room located in Frost Library was reconfigured to almost triple its previous size for use as a training and class room. Mobile tables and computers are now configured to provide a flexible layout which can be easily modified to suit a variety of needs and situations. This work was performed and completed over January term of 2013. All new audio visual and computers provide an up-to date environment for Library sponsored programs in research methods and archival materials. Design was provided by EDM Architects and Engineers. Construction work was performed by Aquadro and Cerruti.

Faculty Residence Renovations

Completed Winter 2012-2013

This project involved splitting the previous three faculty houses into two units each, having a complete modernizing makeover inside while preserving the historic exteriors of these homes. Importantly, efficiency upgrades included a complete re-insulation, new lighting, efficient appliances.

Frost Library Enhancements

Completed 2012

Interior renovations and upgrades have been completed in Frost Library. This renewal effort was based on several key recommendations and conclusions of the library planning effort conducted by the College. The interior renovations include new interior finishes and furniture, improved acoustical performance and flexible study spaces.

Lord Jeffery Inn Renovation

Completed 2011

The existing building underwent a thorough renovation incorporating a new ballroom. “The Jeff” now features all new furnishings and amenities in the 49 renovated guest rooms and suites, updated and expanded conference and function facilities, a full service restaurant and modernized utilities.

Advancement Precinct

Completed 2010

This project involved substantial renovations of Smith House and Pontypool House in order to create office space for the College’s Advancement Department.

Academic Facilities Plan

Completed 2010

Analysis of non-residential, non-athletic space allocation and utilization, projecting academic and administrative space needs, and suggesting ways to optimize space use and increase long-term space efficiency. Shepley Bulfinch’s planning group led the effort.

Seeley & Hitchcock House Renovations

South Pleasant Street
Completed 2009

Comprehensive renovations included a substantial addition to Hitchcock. The dorms were updated with high performance building envelopes and high-efficiency mechanical and electrical system, solar thermal now provides most of the domestic hot water needs for Hitchcock, all while respecting their historic character.

Music Practice Rooms

Arms Music Building
Completed Summer 2008

New high-performance practice rooms were built in Arms Music Building.

Building Relocations

Completed April 2008

An extreme case adaptive re-use - Amherst College was able to save two homes: Tuttle Farm and the Potvine House. Each were slated for demolition until a local developer was found who could restore and re-use the vacant houses as “new” homes nearby in Amherst. For both these buildings it was their second move.

Cogeneration Plant

Completed Winter 2008

The cogeneration plant was put in place in order to help reduce the campus’ carbon footprint, reduce fuel costs, and use less energy through the simultaneous production of electricity and heat. The plant reuses waste heat from combustion to produce steam.

War Memorial Restoration

Quadrangle Drive
Completed 2007

The memorial and surrounding landscape was returned to the original design, including removal and replacement of overgrown and unhealthy plantings, repair of all stone work and installation of a perimeter drainage system.

Center for Community Engagement

Keefe Campus Center
Completed August 2007

The Center of Community Engagement was created in a central location to emphasize student participation.

Charles Pratt Dormitory Renovation

Quadrangle Drive
Completed 2007

This comprehensive renovation and addition project converted the former Pratt Museum and Geology Building into a residence for 119 students. The design of both the interior and exterior highlights the historic character of the building.

Cohan Dorm Exterior Renovation

College Street
Completed 2007

The College replaced all of the windows and repaired and upgraded all of the flashings on Cohan Dorm in order to improve the overall quality of the building.

Gooding Turf Field & Hills Field

Hitchcock Road

An athletic area and corn field were transformed into a state of the art artificial turf playing field, a natural turf practice field and a softball diamond.

Wilson Admissions Addition

South Pleasant Street
Completed 2007

The Wilson Admissions building expanded in order to create office space for their expanded program.

Hamilton & Porter House Renovation

College Street & Boltwood Avenue
Completed 2007

Comprehensive renovations preserved the original aesthetics of these buildings while updating all aspects utilities, access, life-safety, interiors and exteriors.

Beneski Earth Science and Museum of Natural History

Barrett Hill Road
Completed 2006

The home of the Department of Geology and the Museum of Natural History contains teaching and research labs, faculty office and support spaces, a large lecture hall and the Beneski Museum.

Morris Pratt & Morrow Dorm Renovations

Pratt Quad
Completed Completed in Fall 2006

Part of the seven year first phase of the Residential Master Plan, this project addressed the pressing needs to improve sophomore housing on campus. Comprehensive renovations updated the layouts of the buildings, exterior envelope, handicapped accessibility, and all mechanical/electrical/plumbing systems.

James Hall & Stearns Hall

Main Quad
Completed 2005

These halls, occupying a prominent position at the heart of campus, were constructed to house first year students while maintaining the historic character of the Quad.

Crosswalks at South Pleasant Street and College Street

Completed Summer 2004 & 2005

The Town of Amherst and Amherst College collaborated to develop and implement crosswalk designs that would help motorists be more aware of pedestrians, encourage them to stay at the speed limit and encourage pedestrians to cross only at the designated crosswalks.

Career Center Renovations

College Hall
Completed March 2005

The Career Center moved from Converse Hall to the first floor of College Hall. This new space enabled the Career Center to expand its operations for students with more space, a larger resource library, computer stations, interview rooms, and a classroom space.

North College/ South College Renovation

Quadrangle Drive
Completed Fall 2004

This comprehensive renovation project included a complete redesign of the interiors as well as a historically sensitive restoration of the exteriors of Amherst’s oldest buildings.

Weiland & King Halls

Merrill Drive
Completed Fall 2004

These two new dorms were built to provide housing for 115 students. These buildings are reminiscent of the simple Puritan buildings of historic College Row.

Infrastructure Upgrades

All Campus
Completed Summer 2004

Amherst College's infrastructure consists of steam, water, chilled water, storm drain, condensate return, fire suppression, sanitary drain, electrical, fiber optics, telephone and various low voltage networks that support every facility on campus. The Infrastructure Upgrades project significantly updated a large percentage of these systems, some of which were 50 to 100 years old.

Seeley Mudd Fit-out & Renovation

Off of Quadrangle Drive
Completed Fall 2003

The home of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department underwent a partial renovation on the first and fifth floors as well as a complete fit-out of the basement level.

Williston Hall Renovation

Quadrangle Drive
Completed August 2003

This was the first dormitory project to be completed under the College’s Residential Master Plan. It brought modern amenities to one of Amherst’s most historic buildings. Most of the original structure was removed and rebuilt within the original historic masonry shell.

Classroom Improvement Prototype Project

Chapin Hall/ Merrill Science Center
Completed January 2003

A small seminar room in Chapin Hall and a larger seminar room in Merrill Science were renovated, including improvements to the furnishings, technology and lighting as a part of a campus-wide classroom improvement program.

Bunker Archives

Bare Mountain
Completed November 2002

In November 2002 the Five College Book Depository opened at the Bunker. The HVAC, lighting, fire detection and sprinkler systems were upgraded to provide an archival quality environment.

Temporary Dorms

Behind Merrill
Completed Summer 2002

The Temporary Dorms, known as Waldorf and Plaza, are modular buildings constructed at an offsite facility and assembled on campus during the summer 2002. They are intended to be in operation throughout the cycle of the Residential Master Plan work, providing the extra dorm room capacity required while other dorms undergo renovation.

Japanese Garden, Yushien

Between Kirby and Webster Halls
Completed September 2002

This garden was designed and installed in recognition of the special relationship between Doshisha University and Amherst College.

Cooper House Renovations

College Street
Completed September 2002

Comprehensive renovation and new addition, including all new electrical and mechanical systems, a new roof, new windows, and a reconfiguration of the interior spaces were done to this former residence to allow Black Studies and Philosophy Departments to move in. The historic character of the original building was enhanced through attention to detail.

Residential Master Plan

All Campus
Completed 2002

The Residential Master Plan was a two-year effort, completed in 2001, to analyze Amherst College's residential program and map the future of facilities. This plan generated a course of action to improve the campus residential environment in response to current and future needs and preferences in student living.

Central Chilled Water Plant Expansion

Completed 2001

This plant provides cooling to Life Sciences, Merrill Science, Mead, Keefe Campus Center, Seeley Mudd, Fayerweather, and Beneski Earth Sciences. The chillers provide a cost-effective energy source for cooling, reliability, and energy efficiency.

Fayerweather Hall Renovation

Barrett Hill Road
Completed 2002

The renovations to Fayerweather Hall include state of the art studios, classrooms, lecture hall for 80, and new spaces devoted to fixed image study and a second 2D studio. Fayerweather now accommodates a more spacious Eli Marsh Gallery in the northwest corner, and two galleries in expanded hallways built along the "hyphen" that links its two wings.

Mead Art Museum Renovation

Quadrangle Drive
Completed 2000

Mead Art Museum had significant renovations that include the construction of new class and office space, a new teaching gallery and major enhancements in storage and infrastructure. The interior renovation of the building includes new heating, air-conditioning and ventilation systems to bring the museum up to national professional standards in the galleries, storage and art preparation areas.

Buckley Recital Hall

College Street
Completed 2000

Buckley Recital Hall went through a major rejuvenation that replaced the seating, acoustical draperies, and carpet. Lighting was updated, and a new removable performance floor surface was added.