Mass Maritime Academy Cadet Housing, Company 1 & 2

“One key goal for us was to maintain a similar quality of residential life between existing and new… PCA’s architectural solution solved that concern beautifully.”

– Rear Admiral Richard Gurran, President, Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Client

Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Massachusetts State College Building Authority

Program

Sustainable design of full renovation with life safety upgrade of 152-bed, two-story addition to a 1960’s era residence hall complex.

Challenge

Explore the most efficient way to add 150 beds on a highly constrained waterfront campus site while maintaining unified campus housing identity and promoting cutting-edge technology. Work within an aggressive schedule to complete project with minimal disruption to students in existing occupied structure.

Solution

Collaboration with the College, MSCBA, structural engineers, and construction manager weighed both new construction and build-over options. The design of a two-story addition atop the existing cadet residence hall updates the building style, creates a unified architectural expression within the dormitory complex, and preserves site space for future needs. Close partnering with client and contractor ensured work was completed during summer months and when cadets were out of the residence hall on periodic training voyages.

Result

A hit with students, the project is the first LEED Gold Certified public university residence hall in Massachusetts and is capable of offsetting 100 percent of its energy requirements through on-campus, renewable energy sources. Notably, the project’s efficient design and construction process earned national recognition as a 2009 Building Design & Construction magazine Team Award winner.

Awards

Team Award, 2009
Building Design & Construction Magazine

Excellence in Construction Award for Renovation, 2008
Associated Builders & Contractors

Publications

University Business
July 2007
“Sense of Place: Dormitory Complex at Massachusetts Maritime Academy”

Boston Globe
December, 2008
“Maritime college has lit up huge solar-powered fixtures”

Building Design & Construction
May 2009
“Cadets Go Off the Grid”