North Branch Construction builds McCusker Hall at Cardigan Mountain School

Canaan, NH North Branch Construction has completed construction of a new $4 million dormitory for Cardigan Mountain School. When the initial project came in over budget, North Branch was able to find $400,000 in savings through a value engineering process that did not compromise square footage, level of finishes, or building amenities that were important to the school.

A blower door test conducted at the new dormitory scored an impressive 0.14 CFM50/sf whole building leakage rate, which is considered to be a tight building envelope by design standards.

The 14,000 s/f wood-framed, two-story McCusker Hall dormitory now houses 26 students in 12 double and two single rooms, along with four faculty apartments.

Design for the project was provided by Banwell Architects.

Since its founding in 1958, North Branch Construction, Inc. has developed into a full service general contractor and construction manager serving New Hampshire and Northern Massachusetts. We have expertise in institutional, commercial, industrial, municipal, high-end residential, multi-unit, design/build and historic renovation projects, with concrete, masonry, wood, and steel construction. Cardigan Mountain School is a boarding and day school for boys in grades 6 to 9. At Cardigan, we understand and appreciate boys at this great age and stage of development. We’ve created an environment designed to nurture not only their academic achievement, but also their physical, social, ethical, and personal growth. Everything here—from teaching and learning to arts, sports, and fun—is geared toward helping boys reach their potential. We offer boys just the right amounts of structure and independence, challenge and support, and a focus on both individual growth and a strong, positive sense of community. This time-tested, comprehensive approach to the education of boys is what we call the Cardigan Way.