Ames Hall
Completed December 2011
The renovated and expanded Ames Hall contains a blend of academic classrooms, informal student gathering space, faculty offices, and other academic and administrative support space.
Ames Hall was previously used for campus life and student support space, including the campus dinning hall.
However, with the completion of West Hall (Pelham Hall redevelopment project) in fall 2010, most of these activities were relocated to the new building, allowing for a complete renovation/expansion of Ames Hall to create a blend of academic classrooms, informal student gathering space, faculty offices, and other academic and administrative support space. This is consistent with the 2010 Mount Vernon Campus Plan’s goal of creating additional academic space to serve the campus population.
The new Ames Hall:
- Maintains the architectural character of the existing campus;
- Integrates modern sustainable design principles and practices;
- Responds to site topography in order to enhance pedestrian circulation and reinforce the Whitehaven Parkway entrance to the Mount Vernon Campus.
Construction Updates
- 2011
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November 29, 2011
Balancing of fan coil units and commissioning punch-list items are expected to be completed by the end of November. Indoor Air Quality testing for US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and the final full load testing of the emergency back-up generator will occur during the first week of December. After the first week of the December the building will be considered substantially completed. Furniture is scheduled to begin arriving the second week of December, and installation of the small food vendor is also scheduled to begin the second week.November 21, 2011
Landscaping and terrace are complete. Terrace is complete. All site railings will be installed at the end of November. Start-up and commissioning activities continue as do punch-list activities and final interior finishing.November 11, 2011
The last of the street work should be completed this week. Re-paving will be scheduled for sometime within the next 2-3 weeks: the campus will be advised in advance of this work. The last metal panels will be installed by the end of this week. Landscaping work is in progress, and is anticipated to be complete by the end of next week. All site railings will be installed next week. The terrace pavers will be completed by the end of next week. The lecture hall will be completed by November 18. Punch-list has begun, and is completed through the B2 level. Building inspections are scheduled for next week.October 21st 2011
The majority of the building envelope (exterior) is complete. Remaining items include completion of the curtain wall system overlooking the softball field, completion of the metal panels in the windows. The storefront entry systems at the B3, B2, and B1 levels, and installation of the green roof scheduled for completion in early November. Painting, ceiling grid and light fixtures are completed in approximately 80% of the building. Carpeting is expected in early November. Audio visual equipment and IT cabling continues to progress throughout the building. The brick pavers have been installed at the main entrance, the site stairs between Somers and Ames are complete, and the patios and stairs are in progress on the access road side of the building, with completion expected by the end of October.Sept 15, 2011
Work continues on the lower roadway, with steel plates in place until the adjacent storm water vault is completed. Final connection of the fire service water line and storm water vault was delayed by 1 week due to the weather. Gas service is expected to begin the week of the 19th, and will require temporary closure of on-campus road: advance notice will be provided. Window installation is 80% complete, including completed skylight installation and the curtain wall windows facing the softball field.Sept 7, 2011
Work in the roadway is completed: the upper roadway steel plates will be removed by the end of the week. The lower roadway steel plates will remain in place until the adjacent storm water vault is completed. The new site stairs between Somers Hall and Ames have been completed and are open for use. The building is now on permanent power, and water service. Gas service is expected to begin within two weeks, and will require temporary closure of on-campus road: advance notice will be provided. Window installation to begin in early September, as will work on the skylight installation and the curtain wall windows facing the softball field. On the interior, the 2nd floor of the existing building is 95% complete (excluding finishes).August 15, 2011
Work on the new storm water and water line utility continues, with current work between the garage and clock tower. This work will continue until Monday August 29th, during that time it will continue to divert the Vern Express, until Monday the 29th. The shuttle will not be rerouted during move-in weekend (8/27 and 8/28). Work continues on the new access stairs from the rear of Somers Hall and should be completed by the end of August. On the building, permanent power cables are being pulled this week, with activation scheduled for the mid to late August. The construction crane was dismantled and removed from site on Monday the 8th. The structural steel for the building is now complete, as is the structure of the roof. Brick work on the building is about 60% complete, and the glass wall on the ball-field side began Thursday the 11th.July 31, 2011
The structural duct-bank for the new main electrical feed will be completed in late July and permanent power is expected to begin in early August. Advance notice will be posted for any temporary electrical outages to Somers Hall and Post Hall due to Ames electrical work. Work on the new storm water and water line utility continues, with current work between the garage and clock tower. The access road is expected to re-open in early August, with The Vern Express service returning to its normal route at that time. Work continues on the new access stairs from the rear of Somers Hall and is anticipated for completion in coming weeks. The construction crane is scheduled to be dismantled in early August.July 19, 2011
The Topping Out ceremony was held today, marking the completion of the building structure. Work continues on the connection of the main electrical feed to the source in Somers Hall which may create temporary power outages -- advance notice will be provided to any impacted residents. Work on the new storm water and water line utility continues, with progress moving up the access road. The new access stairs from the rear of Somers Hall are in process, with completion still anticipated by mid-July. Masonry restoration is underway on the existing building, and masonry work on the new structure is beginning on the lower levels. New windows are expected to be installed in July.June 30, 2011
The concrete building structure and structural steel are both complete. Concrete decks are substantially complete, with stair towers in place. Installation of the main electrical connection to Somers Hall is scheduled for early July: temporary power outages may occur at Somers Hall – notice will be provided to any impacted residents. Work on the new storm water and water line utility work is in progress, with street connections having been completed. The new access stairs from the rear of Somers Hall are in process and anticipated to be completed by mid-July. Masonry restoration is underway on the existing building, and masonry work on the new structure is beginning on the lower levels. New windows are expected to be installed in July.May 15, 2011
The concrete building structure is substantially complete and the structural steel will begin the middle of May and last several months. Remaining concrete decks will be poured during this time being poured as the steel structure is installed and concrete site stair structures will be installed. Due to upcoming installation of electrical feeders and duct banks, temporary power outages will occur at Somers Hall expected the Memorial Day week – notice will be provided to any impacted residents. Work on the new storm water and water line utility work will begin in June.May 1, 2011
On April 26 the remaining non-rotted pieces of the Red Oak that stood next to Ames was removed from the Mount Vernon Campus. It was a German woodworker on Maryland’s Eastern Shore who will determine if the wood can be integrated into the completed renovation of Ames Hall.April 13, 2011
Some work on remaining foundation walls and B2 level slab form work have been rescheduled due to rain. The B2 slab will be completed in late April as well as work on the exterior of the existing building (including window removals and brick restoration). Structural steel installations and framing from the B2 slab upwards are anticipated to begin in early May.February 7, 2011
The demolition and excavation phase is substantially complete. The tower crane is installed and operational. Utility connections will occur in coming weeks. Concrete foundation work has begun and is expected to continue into mid spring. An area artist has begun working with GW to determine how/if pieces of the recently removed Red Oak tree can be repurposed.Work is anticipated to continue between approximately 7am - 3:30pm on weekdays unless weather or other delays require work until 5:00 p.m. Saturday work may also be required, but in those cases, notification will be given that week and work will not begin until 9:00 a.m. These work hours are within DC legally permitted hours of 7am-7pm Monday through Saturday (except in special/pre-approved circumstances and/or emergency situations).
January 18, 2011
The demolition phase is substantially complete with minor interior pieces remaining and excavation to finish in late January. Utility connections to occur in coming weeks. Tower crane installation is targeted for early February and will be installed downhill from the project.Work is anticipated to continue between approximately 7am - 3:30pm on weekdays unless weather or other delays require work until 5:00 p.m. Saturday work may also be required, but in those cases, notification will be given that week and work will not begin until 9:00 a.m. These work hours are within DC legally permitted hours of 7am-7pm Monday through Saturday (except in special/pre-approved circumstances and/or emergency situations).
January 4, 2011
Pile installation is complete and work will continue through January on the underpinning. Excavation and lagging to the final sub grade will finish this month. Foundation footings will begin at the end of the month along with the installation of the new sanitary lines. Due to its ailing health and extensive deterioration, the oak tree near the project site was removed the last week of December and portions remain on site while potential uses for the wood are explored.Work is anticipated to continue between approximately 7am - 3:30pm on weekdays unless weather or other delays require work until 5:00 p.m. Saturday work may also be required, but in those cases, notification will be given that week and work will not begin until 9:00 a.m. These work hours are within DC legally permitted hours of 7am-7pm Monday through Saturday (except in special/pre-approved circumstances and/or emergency situations).
- 2010
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December 9, 2010
Work will continue into January on the underpinning and pile installation at the existing building. Excavation will be completed in coming weeks on the first bench cut, followed by initiation of sheeting and shoring. There will be an increase in vehicular activity during sheeting and shoring. Due to the ailing health and extensive deterioration of the oak tree adjacent to Ames, its removal has been scheduled for late December. The University is exploring options for salvaging wood from the tree.Work is anticipated to continue between approximately 7am - 3:30pm on weekdays unless weather or other delays require work until 5:00 p.m. Saturday work may also be required, but in those cases, notification will be given that week and work will not begin until 9:00 a.m. These work hours are within DC legally permitted hours of 7am-7pm Monday through Saturday (except in special/pre-approved circumstances and/or emergency situations).
November 22, 2010
Utility work occurred today on the Quad in front of Ames and Somers Residence Halls which required temporary relocation of The Vern Express shuttle stop to Acheson Science Center. The Vern Express have resumed normal operations. Work also began and will continue through January on underpinning and pile installation at the existing building followed by sheeting and shoring work. Pursuant to approved permits, work will occur within hours permitted by DC law, Monday through Saturday between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. except in special/pre-approved circumstances and/or emergency situations. It is anticipated work will begin approximately 7:00 am on weekdays and end by 3:30 p.m., however weather and other delays may require work continue until 5:00 p.m. Saturday work may also be required, but in those cases, notification will be given that week and work will not begin until 9:00 a.m.November 15, 2010
The east section of the existing building has been removed and debris clean up will continue through the end of the week. Underpinning and pile installation at the existing building will begin the week of November 22nd with minor excavation work for the initial bench cut. Sheeting and shoring work with excavation activities will continue through January 2011.November 2, 2010
Interior demolition is now complete. Crews are working on the rear/south end of Ames Hall to prepare for removal and demolition of this portion of the building beginning next week and lasting approximately a week. Excavation and sheeting & shoring will begin upon completion this removal/later this month and continue into early 2011.