location | wheelock college campus, 200 the riverway, boston ma 02215

building occupant | wheelock college students and faculty

occupancy/function types | R-2 (dormitory), B (conference room, offices), A-3 (assembly rooms)

size | 60,000 sf

number of stories | 6 above grade, 1 below grade

primary project team |

dates of construction | start - 09.27.07 projected completion - 12.31.08

actual cost | $23 million

project delivery method | sequential design-bid-build for fast track construction

national model code | IBC 2003

zoning | information has been requested and is pending

historical requirements | the building was constructed on land previously owned by wheelock college, and has no historical restrictions

architecture discussion |

Since the Campus Center and Student Residence building is the first major construction on the Wheelock campus in 40 years, it was designed as a showcase of contemporary architecture.  The steel paneled curved façade houses a multi-functional center for Wheelock students and faculty. 

The building scope includes a student residence area and campus center.  The campus center is located on the ground floor, with the dining area on the second floor, and residences on the upper floors.  The campus center includes a lounge, café, campus store, multi-purpose room, conference room and student activities offices. The dining area offers seating for 250.  The residences consist of a combination of 4 bed suites, two bed dorms and single rooms, totaling 108 beds.

The foundations on this building consist of spread footings, basement and foundation walls, and slabs on grade.  The building is constructed using structural steel with a glass and curved metal panel facade. There are several different roof systems used in the project. A greenroof is used on the third floor deck, using a roofing membrane with root barrier, mechanically fastened board insulation, drain and moisture mats, 6" planting medium and extensive plants. Other roof types are canopy roofing with continuous high temperature butyl-based modified bitumen membrane, roof pavers with 2" pedestal supports and shims, and typical roof assembly with a drainage mat, fully adhered membrane, board insulation and a vapor barrier on a concrete slab.

building systems

construction |

The construction of the Wheelock College Campus Center and Student Residence began on September 27, 2007 and is scheduled for completion on December 31, 2008.  The project delivery method is sequential design-bid-build.  Since the building is scheduled for fast track completion the subcontractor bids were received as they were required.  The original budget for the building was $23 million, and the final price is not yet known. 

electrical |

The building runs on a 480Y/277V, 3 phase, 4 wire system and is connected to the NSTAR distribution system.  Service enters the building on the south side where the primary transformer is located.  The transformer supplies a main switchboard which distributes power to the rest of the building.  A diesel generator provides emergency power to the building through an automatic transfer switch. 

fire protection |

The building has a sprinkler system designed for all levels.  The sprinklers are designed to 250 GMP hose stream for all building spaces.  The automatic fire pump is located in the fire room in the basement.  It is capable of supplying 750 GMP with 90 head PSI.  The majority of the building was designed with 2 hour fire rated material. 

lighting |

The typical lamping used throughout the Campus Center and Student Residence building are linear and compact fluorescent.  This type of lamping was used to reduce energy usage and meet the design criteria.  Study areas on the first and second floor utilize daylighting, as well as feature a mixture of pendants and downlights when there is less sun.  A multi-purpose room boasts large pendants of varying size clustered around the room, with compact fluorescent downlights for more uniform lighting.  Wallwashers are common in a variety of places throughout the first and second floors.  The suite and dorm rooms are relatively simple, with surface mounted compact fluorescent luminaires for ambient light, and surface mounted halogen downlights for task lights in the closet/dressing areas.  Exterior lighting is primarily restricted to path and sign lighting.  Uplights along the brick retaining walls lead students to the building. 

The building uses a variable air volume system, with a 232 ton air-cooled water chiller on the roof.  There is one 20,700 CFM air handling unit in the basement which services the basement and first floor.   A second 19,000 CFM air handling unit on the roof services the second and third floors.  The dorm rooms are individually climate controlled by a fan coil unit.  The unit is connected to a dual temperature water pipe so it can be used for heating and cooling.  The kitchen make-up air units are located on the roof.  The second floor kitchen unit runs at 4,000 CFM, while the basement kitchen unit runs at 6,000 CFM.

structural |

The foundation of the building consists of spread footings, basement and foundation walls.  The basement floor is slab on grade, and subsequent floors are 3 ¼” lightweight concrete on 3” – 20 gage minimum galvanized composite steel deck.  The framing is primarily steel with glass and metal panel curtain walls.  The column arrangement is not regular due to the curved shape of the building.  The structural system is moment frame connection. 

telecommunications |

The telecommunications system in the Wheelock College Campus Center and Student Residence consists of a wireless internet, phone systems and some audio-visual equipment.  The main controls and distribution system is located in the main electric room 010 in the basement.  The voice and data network extends throughout the building.  There are emergency phones next to the two main building entrances on the first floor.  All wireless locations are mounted above the ceiling, while other data locations are mounted on the floor, walls and ceiling.  The security system is a combination of card reader access into the building, and security cameras.   The card access restricts non-residents from entering the dormitory area of the building.  The security cameras are located on the main circulation areas, with views of the entrances and staircases.

transportation |

The main entrances to the Wheelock College Campus Center and Student Residence are on the east and west sides of the building.  Both entrances lead occupants into the main corridor/lounge on the first floor.  In the lounge is a main open staircase leading to the second floor.  There are fire-rated staircases near both of the entrances.   A passenger elevator is located on the west side of the building, and is used primarily for students who live in the dorms.  A freight elevator is also located on the west side of the building, and can access the basement, first floor and second floor.