Science Center | Tradeline, Inc.

Design Solution
The result consolidates nine departments and four interdisciplinary programs into one complex. New construction includes a 118,000-sf modern laboratory building that connects the three existing science buildings, all of which have been renovated. The central space created by the new construction houses the new 30,000-sf Schow Science Library and the Science Court. Zimmer Gunsul Frasca served as design architect in association with Einhorn Yaffee Prescott.

The design team capitalized on the configuration of the existing buildings to create a library at the physical center of the complex. Existing and new labs and classrooms are arranged around the library making it the academic focus of the science complex. In addition, the computerized library catalog is accessible to off-site computers, including those located in dormitories.

To foster the interdisciplinary approach to teaching science, interaction areas are incorporated into the design along the primary circulation path. These study areas open to the corridor and are equipped with blackboards, tables and comfortable furniture to encourage interaction among the students. The main entrance to the facility is called the Science Court. This space provides additional areas for exhibiting student and faculty research projects.

The materials and color of the building addition are carefully blended into the family of the existing buildings, and in scale with the Bronfman building (1968) with which it is most closely associated on the exterior. The interior, however, is seamless with the three older Thompson labs that now house less laboratory-intensive activities.

Project Information

Building Owner:

Williams College

Owner Contact:

Winthrop Wassenar, Director of Buildings and Grounds

Building Location:

Williamstown, MA UNITED STATES

Project Type:

New Construction,Renovation

Principal Building Function:

Undergraduate Science Teaching and Research Facilities

Project Delivery Method:

Lump Sum

Project Timeline

Mar 1995	Planning Start
Jul 1995	Design Start
Oct 1997	Construction Start
Dec 2000	Target Completion
Last known status: Construction

Project Cost:

$47,100,000

Construction Cost:

$35,981,238

Cost Per Sq. Ft:

$164

About These Cost Figures

Building Information

Project Includes:

Astronomy
Biology
Chemistry
Computers
Education
Education: Administration
Education: Classroom
Education: Physics
Environmental Science
Geology
Laboratory: Research
Laboratory: Teaching
Library
Life Sciences

Total GSF:

219,471

Total NSF:

129,757

Efficiency:

59%

Building Population:

People Density:

3000 gsf/person

Building Services:

Hot/cold and pure water, industrial hot water, lab vacuum, gas, compressed air

Special Equip:

Library Shelving, Compact Library Storage System, Greenhouse

Office Size:

178 NSF

Power Req:

Lighting: 1.5 w/nsf Equipment: 2.8 w/nsf

HVAC Req:

2.67 cfm/nsf

Structure/Foundation:

Structural steel with caisson footings

Laboratory Parameters

Lab Module:

10' 6" x 30'

Casework Mat'l:

Custom Maple

Fume Hoods:

Project Team

Architect - Design

Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects LLP

Architect of Record

Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architecture & Engineering P.C.

Consultant - Civil

Vince Guntlow

Consultant - Electrical

Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architecture & Engineering P.C.

Consultant - Graphic Design

Daly & Associates

Consultant - Laboratory Planner

Earl Walls Associates

Consultant - Landscape Architect

Carol R. Johnson & Associates

Consultant - Library Planner

Linda Demmers

Consultant - Lighting

Renfro Design Group

Consultant - Mechanical

Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architecture & Engineering P.C.

Consultant - Structural

Ryan-Biggs Associates

General Contractor

Gilbane Building Company

Profile Created 12/01/2000

Last Updated 04/04/2006

About the Reported Cost Figures

The cost figures reported are supplied by the firms that submitted these projects for publication, which in most cases are the designers or builders. Whereas these sources are intimately familiar with their projects, they may not be fully aware of the owners' finally-realized and recorded costs. In some cases, costs are truly and completely accounted for, and in others they represent a near approximation of the final costs. Costs have not been adjusted for year of construction, nor has any attempt been made to make regional cost adjustments.

Further, costs are not comparable on any kind of detailed standard costing model. Hence, it is possible for the cost of one building to include a steam boiler, while the cost of a comparable building might not include the boiler, if steam is being supplied from an already existing campus grid. Or, in another case, a building might include excess boiler capacity to supply steam to another building. Some submittals include fees or unusual site improvements as part of the construction costs, which others do not.

Fig. 1

Williams College Science Center

Fig. 2

Williams College Library

Fig. 3

Williams College Laboratory