This project was a $37 million reconfiguration of the historic (c.1899) Blanchard Campus Center, encompassing a 33,600 square foot ground floor addition for a centralized dining space that included a 1,000-seat dining area and related support areas, plus a 5,100 square foot mechanical penthouse; repurposing 13,000 square feet of current dining space; and renovating portions of the remainder space to enhance it as an active community center. The Community Center now includes Student Services, a reconfigured “hoteling” student organizations area, a satellite cultural center, meeting rooms, a campus store, a mailroom, and social gathering spaces.
“Go where no one else will go, do what no one else will do…”
—Mary Lyons, founder, educator, chemist
For almost 180 years, Mount Holyoke College has provided a welcoming gateway for young women to become educated citizens, skilled professionals and role models for other girls and young women. Founder Mary Lyons’ vision has made a profound impact on our country. From poet Emily Dickinson to Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins, Mount Holyoke alumnae have broken down barriers for generations of women. Through their leadership, the college has been part of tangible cultural, political and economic changes that have ushered new freedom and greater opportunity.
Once again, the women of Mount Holyoke College have led by example, opened doors, imagined new possibilities and created new role models. Mount Holyoke College was the first private college in Western Mass to require construction diversity on a project. With the help of institutional leaders like Mount Holyoke College, the impact in construction could be significant. As the college seeks to rebuild and expand its facilities, it can continue to expand opportunities for women of all backgrounds by adopting contracting standards for all of its projects with requirements for contractors to employ women and people of color for a minimum percentage of a project’s work hours.
Project completed, Spring 2018
Women: 5% achieved
Workers of Color: 12% achieved
Construction Manager: Shawmut Construction
Timeline: Summer 2016 – Spring 2018