CREW Blue Ribbon Awards Program Book 2022

Trinity College – Cornelia Center East Hartford, CT

Renovation of Trinity College’s Career/Life Design Center within the Cornelia Center included 14 new offices and staff lounge. Together these areas house the Career and Life Design Center, the Office of International Students and Scholars, as well as the Student Government Association. Wishing to honor one of its leaders, Cornelia Parsons Thornburgh, funds were raised to support women’s leadership in Thornburgh’s honor. The Cornelia Center is among the first buildings on campus named for a woman. The project began with a delay in developing unified alignment for space usage and design. A 2021 summer target date for completion proved challenging considering the design phase was still ongoing. After meetings with the client, NDC and Shepley Bulfinch (architects) collaborated to design and price several options. “It was a unique challenge to begin the design process while the administration was considering multiple options for the use of the space. Facing scheduling delays, unexpected existing building conditions and COVID restrictions, the team worked collaboratively to reach quick resolutions to stay on schedule. Our estimating team developed the atypical process of breaking out the budget to provide flexible options to meet the needs of the students while maintaining budget constraints,” noted Nicole Phillips, NDC’s Sr. Project Manager. Construction was nearly halfway complete when the client requested adding a new “high-tech hybrid space” for meetings, workshops and classes, which allows students to meet in-person or remotely. A feature cut from original plans due to budget constraints, the school received additional funds to add the hybrid room. Conversations with students occurred about how the space could become a collaborative space for students, staff and guests. “The site supervisor was communicative to work through any on-site issues” noted Rebeccah Eldridge of Shepley Bulfinch. “It was unusual to be designing and pricing while the project continued, but the team worked together to come to quick solutions and not bog down the client with decisions.” The NDC team is proud to be part of a space that is transformative in the life of students, empowering them to engage and support one another on their journey to a productive career. Owner : Trinity College, Cornelia Center Size : 7,200 sf Project Team: NDC Commercial Construction, Shepley Bulfinch, BVH Integrated Services, Cirrus Structural Engineering, Building Environmental Systems, A.L. Fire Protection, LLC, Thorogood Electric, Network-Interiors, Inc., Interscape Commercial Environments, Highrise Concrete Pumping, LLC, Painting and Decorating, Inc., Roweski Painting, Red Thread Spaces LLC

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