Commodore Builders has begun 11 projects on nine New England campuses. According to Tom Comeau, COO of the firm, the concentration of academic and institutional projects is a "glowing report card that reflects the results of our commitment to this sector." Comeau added, "The talent and energy we've invested in this market is earning great relationships and many opportunities."
Jim Dunn, CFO of the Boston Architectural College, expressed enthusiasm about working with Commodore again on the upcoming restoration of the college's signature 1887 entrance. "Commodore listens when we speak," Dunn said. "They know our students' interests are paramount. They've clearly been a partner in every aspect of our project."
Commodore's roster of summer projects includes Wellesley College, where bathroom renovations are taking place simultaneously in the Cazenove and Pomeroy Residence Halls.
On the edge of Boston's Back Bay, two projects for the Berklee College of Music are underway amidst the heavy foot traffic of summer tourists. Two turn-of-the-century buildings at the intersection of Mass. Ave. and Boylston St. are being renovated to accommodate a new Barnes and Noble bookstore and new academic classrooms and offices. The interior of the bookstore is designed by SMMA, and the new storefront is designed by Prelwitz & Chilinski. A second-floor project in the historic 155 Mass. Ave. building includes demolition of existing interior space and the build out of new academic offices and classrooms, designed by MDS. Additional improvements to the building envelope are also planned.
Just north of the city, on the Medford campus of Tufts University, Carmichael Residence Hall is undergoing a 94,000 s/f renovation to the bathrooms, showers and plaza area. The scope of work, designed by Spagnolo Gisness, includes extensive new plumbing and infrastructure, while the entry plaza is being replaced and waterproofed. All 254 dorm rooms are being painted. The corridors are getting an extensive face lift with new lights, paint and carpet, all in time to greet returning students this fall.
Heading out to western Mass., Commodore is working in conjunction with Livermore Edwards at Bay Path College in Longmeadow, serving up uniquely designed upgrades to the 5,400 s/f Blake Student Commons Dining Hall. The linear lines of typical serveries are being replaced with a semi-circular counter, mirrored overhead by a circular concave soffit. Unique floor and wall finishes, along with specialty lighting, will enhance the dining experience for students who will continue to access the dining hall throughout the construction.
In Building 31 on the campus of MIT, Commodore is working with D'Agostino Izzo Quirk Architects on the conversion of an existing mechanical room into a new laboratory to support state of the art combustion research. Also on campus, a chemistry lab, classroom and assembly space in the Landau Building - designed by I.M. Pei - are undergoing renovations. Commodore is partnering on the project with Perry Radford Architects.
Enhancements to the Gymnasium lobby and exterior repairs to the administration building have begun on the campus of St. Sebastian's in Needham. An existing staircase is being encased in a fire-rated glass mullion enclosure. The design, by Rob Olson Architects, will transform the stair into a focal point of the space.
A new 1880 adapted Victorian-period boathouse is being planned for the campus of the Middlesex School, located in a residential neighborhood on the banks of the Concord River in Billerica. Working with Robert Powell of WP+G Architects, the preconstruction phase of the project is now underway. Demolition of an existing structure will be followed by construction of a new retaining wall along the river's edge. Construction of the boathouse, including a new dock for the crew team, is expected to begin in early fall.
The architectural upgrades to Blackman Auditorium and lobby on the campus of Northeastern University required the entire auditorium to be scaffolded to the ceiling. As the primary assembly building on campus, upgrades to the space were carefully scheduled to allow accessibility. Working with William Rawn Associates, the window for completing renovations was brief to allow the building to quickly reopen for student tours and the orientation of incoming freshmen.
Commodore's relationship with the Boston Architectural College continues with the start of Phase III renovations to the 951 Boylston St. building, formerly the Institute for Contemporary Art. The massive arched wood entrance of the BAC is being restored to its original 1887 Richardson Romanesque Revival glory. Working with The Institute for Human Centered Design, the simultaneous interior renovations will create more adaptable, multi-use space for education and for the display of student work.