Architect:
Harriman Associates
Auburn, Maine
Project Highlights
This renovation/addition was technically a Ouellet Construction project with Mike Ouellet serving as both project manager and site superintendent, and many future OAI team members playing key roles.
The project scope encompassed an addition to the existing science hall, built in the early 1900s, followed by a renovation of the older structure. Originally scheduled over 36 months, the Ouellet team demonstrated that an accelerated schedule would allow the college to move from the older facility to the new during the summer lull. By remaining on an accelerated schedule for the renovation, they could move back into the refurbished building the following summer. Working as a team to make it happen, the job was completed six months ahead of schedule with no additional costs.
The seven-story, brick and granite veneer addition included a new basement, as well as a rooftop greenhouse, research and teaching laboratories, faculty research facilities, and the Ladd Planetarium. One of the greatest challenges was the extremely tight construction site, particularly building one full level below the half basement of the abutting structure.
The nature of the laboratories required special air systems to ensure negative pressure; a vacuum extraction system; deionized water systems; as well as piped and compressed gasses throughout the facility, in addition to the basic heating and ventilation systems. All of these systems had to be shoehorned into an extremely tight space, governed by the floor heights of the existing building. Space was so limited that several ventilation units had to be built in place.