HIGHER EDUCATION
Prepared for Lafayette College
Audra Kahr, Executive Vice President for Finance & Administration
Audra Kahr
Executive Vice President for Finance & Administration
Dear Ms. Audra Kahr,
Colleges and universities today face a complex set of challenges modernizing aging facilities, advancing sustainability commitments, enhancing the student experience, and stewarding long-term capital investments, all while operating within active and evolving campus environments. CHA understands these pressures and brings a proven, integrated approach to help institutions meet them with confidence and clarity.
With more than 70 years of experience and partnerships with 300+ higher education institutions nationwide, CHA delivers fully integrated campus solutions that span planning, design, engineering, energy, and construction phase services. Our in-house, multidisciplinary teams work collaboratively from vision through project delivery, for continuity, accountability, and measurable results at every stage.
Planning with Purpose
Every successful campus initiative begins with a clear, data driven understanding of institutional priorities. CHA supports colleges and universities with campus-wide master planning, facility condition assessments, deferred maintenance strategies using our proprietary renu360 platform, and funding support, including feasibility studies and capital justification. This holistic planning approach aligns academic, residential, athletic, and infrastructure systems, helping campuses grow intentionally, efficiently, and sustainably.
Designing Environments that Elevate Campus Life
From academic and research facilities to residence halls and athletic complexes, CHA delivers architecture and engineering solutions that reflect each institution’s unique character while meeting the demands of performance, flexibility, and longevity. Our design teams provide building, site, and infrastructure design, athletic facility planning, and sustainable solutions; including high performance systems, renewable energy integration, and climate resilient strategies, to create spaces that support learning, community, and institutional identity.
Powering Resilient, Sustainable Campuses
A resilient campus begins with dependable energy infrastructure. CHA’s energy and utility experts help institutions reduce emissions, improve reliability, and plan for the future through district energy systems, microgrids, electrification strategies, combined heat and power, and renewable energy integration. These solutions strengthen operational resilience while supporting long term carbon reduction goals and controlling lifetime costs.
Delivering with Confidence
CHA’s construction and program management teams understand the complexities of delivering projects in active campus environments. We provide construction management, project controls, and lifecycle analysis with a focus on safety, transparency, and campus specific logistics, helping institutions manage risk, control costs, and deliver projects that perform on day one and for decades to come.
With 2,100+ multidisciplinary professionals, 50+ office locations, and a national footprint that combines local insight with the strength of a national firm, CHA is uniquely positioned to serve as a trusted campus partner. Our integrated A/E/C model empowers institutions to modernize their campuses, enhance the student experience, and build resilient foundations for the future.
We would welcome the opportunity to learn more about Lafayette College and discuss how CHA can support your campus goals today and for generations to come. Please contact me if you require further information at 484.357.8969 (cell) or by email at jlynch@chasolutions.com.
Sincerely,
Jamie Lynch, CCM, SAVE Project Executive
Integrated Campus Solutions from planning through project delivery
Colleges and universities face growing pressure to modernize facilities, elevate the student experience, and operate more sustainably—while also stewarding long-term investments. CHA helps institutions meet these challenges with fully integrated, in-house capabilities that span planning, design, engineering, energy, and construction-phase services. With 70+ years of experience and partnerships with more than 300 institutions nationwide, we understand the distinct demands of higher-education environments and deliver solutions that strengthen campuses for generations.
PLAN
Creating the Blueprint for a Stronger, Smarter Campus
Every successful project begins with a clear, data-driven understanding of campus needs. CHA’s planning teams bring a holistic perspective to the academic, residential, athletic, and infrastructure systems that make up a modern campus.
We support institutions with:
Master Planning: Campus-wide strategy integrating academics, housing, athletics, infrastructure, and open space.
Facility Assessments: Systemwide evaluations of buildings, MEP systems, envelope integrity, life safety, and accessibility.
Deferred Maintenance Strategies: Proprietary software solutions (renu360) that help define capital roadmaps that enable smart, phased investment.
Funding Support: Feasibility studies, grant and incentive alignment, and justification packages for capital requests.
Our planning approach connects long-term institutional goals with actionable solutions— helping campuses grow intentionally, efficiently, and sustainably.
DESIGN
Shaping High-Performance Academic, Residential, and Athletic Environments
From iconic academic buildings to student housing and competitive Division I athletic facilities, CHA delivers architecture, engineering, and site solutions that bring campus visions to life. Our teams work side by side, creating seamless coordination across disciplines throughout the project lifecycle.
Our design services include:
Building Design: Architecture, interiors, structural engineering, MEP/fire protection, and security design.
Site & Infrastructure Design: Utilities, stormwater, landscape architecture, campus circulation, and site development.
Athletic Facility Design: Fields, stadiums, tracks, training centers, and recreation spaces that strengthen institutional identity and performance.
Sustainable Solutions: High-performance building systems, renewable energy integration, net-zero strategies, LEED/CHPS/Passive House, and climate-resilient design.
Whether transforming historic buildings, creating flexible learning environments, modernizing residence halls, or developing new recreation and athletic hubs, we deliver spaces that elevate campus life and reflect each institution’s unique character.
POWER
Energy & Utility Systems That Strengthen Reliability, Efficiency, and Resiliency
A resilient, sustainable campus begins with dependable energy infrastructure. CHA’s energy and utility engineers provide comprehensive solutions that help institutions reduce emissions, stabilize operations, and meet long-term carbon-reduction goals.
Our power and energy capabilities include:
District Energy Systems: Campus-wide heating and cooling networks, thermal distribution, and system modernization.
Campus Energy Planning: Microgrids, distributed energy resources, electrification strategies, and long-range utility planning.
Power & Thermal Generation: Combined heat & power (CHP), cogeneration upgrades, and substation design.
Alternative Energy: Geothermal, solar, and renewable integration, paired with modeling and performance analyses.
These services strengthen campus resiliency and operational efficiency, supporting sustainability commitments while improving energy reliability and reducing lifetime costs.
DELIVER Managing Construction, Controlling Costs, and Maximizing Long-Term Value
CHA’s construction and program management teams guide institutions through the complexities of delivering projects in active campus environments. Our team understands the importance of safety, phasing, communication, and maintaining daily operations.
We support clients with:
Construction Management: Procurement, contractor oversight, schedule coordination, quality assurance, and field monitoring.
Project Controls: Estimating, budgeting, scheduling, forecasting, risk management, and documentation control.
Lifecycle Analysis: Cost-of-ownership modeling, asset performance planning, and long-term capital budgeting.
With a focus on transparency, accountability, and campus-specific logistics, we help institutions deliver projects that perform on day one—and over the long term.
Your Trusted Campus Partner
CHA brings the full strength of an interdisciplinary A/E/C organization to every project, combining the creativity of our design teams, the technical rigor of our engineers, the foresight of our planners, and the reliability of our construction experts. Our integrated approach empowers colleges and universities to modernize their campuses, enhance the student experience, and build resilient foundations for the future.
From power to performance, from planning to project delivery—CHA is your partner in shaping the next generation of campus environments.
2100+
Multi-disciplinary Resources
50+ Office Locations
74+ Years in Business
300+ Higher Education Clients
Law School Renovation
University of Maine – Portland, ME
Maine Law needed a new home. The five-story modern office building in downtown Portland, woven in among historic civic buildings, offered an opportunity to design for a law school that is modern and forward thinking in pedagogy while acknowledging the historical underpinnings of the profession.
The renovated space converts a formerly open office concept space into private and acoustically isolated offices and office suites, high-flex classrooms, and a Moot-court um well into the future. The project involves the intense coordination of building systems in a tight floor-to-floor height.
SERVICES Architecture | Interior Design | MEP | Fire Protection | Security Design | Cost Estimating
John H. Burr Gymnasium
Howard University – Washington, DC
The renovated John H. Burr Gymnasium complex at Howard is bathed in the branding of the Howard University Bison basketball team.
Combined with new state-of-the-art efficient mechanical and electrical systems and a host of ADA and accessibility improvements, the 60-year-old complex has a new lease on life, allowing “The Burr” to continue to serve future generations of student athletes. While much of the $7 million renovation was behind the scenes MEP and accessibility related, numerous cost-effective but dramatic visual and functional improvements have readied the building for the next 60 years.
SERVICES Architecture | Sports Design | MEP | Structural
Athletic and Recreation Facilities
Lafayette College – Easton, PA
CHA has partnered with Lafayette College on multiple athletic facility improvements, transforming both historic and existing venues across campus. At Fisher Stadium, CHA delivered a new 21,000 SF football varsity house with coaches’ offices, locker rooms, strength and conditioning space, and sports medicine facilities, along with a new synthetic turf field, scoreboard, and lighting. CHA also renovated the basketball arena with new seating, a four-sided video scoreboard, and refreshed finishes to enhance spectator comfort and atmosphere. Building on this long-standing relationship, CHA was engaged to modernize the campus natatorium, completing extensive pool, mechanical, diving, and structural upgrades.
SERVICES Architecture | Sports Design | MEP | Structural | Construction Administration
The Marshall Birmingham
Varsity Grove, LLC – Birmingham, AL
The Marshall on 3rd is a 409-bed, seven-story student housing development near the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The 200,000-SF project includes five levels of wood-framed residential units over a two-level precast parking structure, along with 10,000 SF of amenities such as fitness spaces, lounges, courtyards, and a rooftop pool. CHA managed site surveying, ALTA/ NSPS land title survey, subsurface utility exploration, and environmental due diligence, including Phase I and Phase II investigations. Our work supported planning approvals and provided critical data to advance the successful delivery of this high-demand student housing project.
SERVICES Civil Site | Permitting | Survey | Landscape Architecture | Owner’s Representative Services
Electric Generating Plant
Swarthmore College – Swarthmore, PA
To support Swarthmore College’s net-zero carbon goals, the campus implemented an all-electric dining hall supported by a geothermal heating and cooling system, requiring enhanced electrical resilience. CHA provided design services for two 2.5-MW natural gas standby generators and new 5kV, 2000A switchgear with utility-paralleling capability, allowing partial or full islanding and future microgrid operation. CHA also completed a feasibility study evaluating fuel options, generator sizing, operational loads, demand response, and future campus expansion, forming the basis of final design. The electric generating plant is commissioned and fully operational.
SERVICES Electrical | Mechanical | Civil | Structural | Air Permitting
Combined Heat and Power
Cornell University – Ithaca, NY
In support of Cornell University’s Climate Action Plan to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, CHA led the development of the Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHPP). The project integrated a 30-MW cogeneration system into the existing boiler house, enabling the retirement of coal-fired assets and conversion from No. 6 to No. 2 fuel oil while improving energy security and fuel flexibility. The system includes dual-fuel 15-MW dry low-NOx gas turbine generators with heat recovery steam generators featuring SCR and CO controls, a new 3.2-mile high-pressure gas pipeline, and a purpose-built equipment structure. CHA also modernized the campus substation and added a third transformer to support increased capacity and reliability.
SERVICES Electrical | Mechanical | Civil | Structural | Architecture
Facility Conditions Assessments
Tufts University – Boston, MA
CHA completed a facilities condition assessment of ~50 buildings at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Each facility—ranging from agricultural storage buildings to complex teaching hospitals—was evaluated to document existing conditions, deferred maintenance needs, and code-related issues. CHA worked closely with campus facilities leadership and building users to understand operational needs and align priorities with the campus master plan. Findings were documented in our renu360 database, organized by Uniformat system and paired with prioritized recommendations identifying required actions, deficiency types, and urgency levels.
SERVICES Condition Assessments (architectural, structural, building systems) | Cost Estimating | Lifecycle Analysis
Construction Management
Northampton Community College – Tannersville, PA
CHA provided project management, preconstruction, and construction management services for Northampton Community College’s 71-acre Monroe County campus, which includes a 42,500 SF Enrollment Center, a 68,000 SF Student Life Building, and a 95,000 SF Classroom Building. Services encompassed budgeting, value engineering, constructability reviews, contractor procurement, scheduling, cost control, and change management, along with full construction-phase oversight including phasing, coordination, quality assurance, pay applications, and closeout. The LEED Gold® campus was delivered on time and within budget while supporting the college’s sustainability and operational goals.
SERVICES Construction Management | Project Controls
Our National Footprint
With 50+ offices across the United States and Canada, CHA offers the reach, resources, and responsiveness needed to support college and university projects throughout the country. Our geographically diverse teams bring localized insight backed by the strength of a national, multi-disciplinary firm—allowing us to mobilize quickly, collaborate seamlessly, and deliver consistent quality across regions.
University, NY • Albany College of Pharmacy, NY • Albany Law School, NY • Alfred University, NY • Antioch University New England, NH • Antioch University, NC • Bergen Community College, NJ
• Berkshire Community College, MA • Bob Jones University, SC • Boston College, MA • Boston University, MA • Bowdoin University, RI • Buffalo State College, NY • Camden County College, NJ • Campbell University, NC • Carson-Newman University, TN • Cayuga Community
SC • Colgate University, NY • College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering, NY • College of New Rochelle, NY • College of St. Rose, NY • College Of The Holy
• County College of Morris, NJ • Dallas Community College, TX • Dartmouth College, NH • Denison University, OH • Drexel University, PA • Duke University, State University, NC • Ferrum College, VA • Finger Lakes Community College, NY • Florida International University, FL • Fulton-Montgomery Community
Georgia Southern University, GA • Georgia State University, GA • Grayson County College, TX • Hamilton College, NY • Hartwick College, NY • Harvard University, • Jackson State University, MS • James Madison University, VA • John Carroll University, OH • Keene State College, NH • Kennebec Valley Community College, College, PA • Lynchburg College, VA • Manhattan College, NY • Marlboro School of Music, PA • Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA • Medaille College, University, NJ • Mount Saint Mary College, NY • Mount St. Mary’s University, MD • New Jersey Institute of Technology, NJ • Niagara County Community College, Northeastern University, MA • Northern Maine Community College, ME • Northwest Missouri State University, MO • Norwich University, VT • Ohio State University, NJ • Purdue University, IN • Queens University, ON • Quinnipiac University, CT • Randolph-Macon College, VA • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY • Rhode College of Art and Design, GA • Schenectady County Community College, NY • Shenandoah University, VA • Shorter University, GA • Siena College, NY • Skidmore Bonaventure University, NY • St. John Fisher College, NY • St. Joseph’s College, CT • St. Lawrence University, NY • State University of New York at Plattsburgh, At Brockport, NY • State University of New York At Cortland, NY • State University of New York At Fredonia, NY • State University of New York At Geneseo, Adirondack, NY • State University of New York Canton, NY • State University of New York College of Environmental Science & Forestry, NY • State University of New University, NY • Temple University, PA • Temple University, PA • Texas Woman’s University, TX • The Sage Colleges, NY • The State University of New York College Carolina at Charlotte, NC
• The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC • The University of North Carolina Pembroke, NC • Union College, NY • Unity Augusta, ME
• University of Maine at Farmington, ME • University of Maine at Orono, ME • University of Maine School of Law, ME • University of Maine System, Dartmouth, MA • University of Massachusetts Lowell, MA • University of Massachusetts Medical School, MA • University of Miami, FL • University of Mississippi, MS Aiken, SC • University of South Carolina - Columbia, SC • University of Southern Maine, ME • University of Toronto, ON • University of Vermont, VT • University State University, VA • Virginia Wesleyan College, VA • Wake Forest University, NC • Washington & Lee University, VA • Wesleyan University, CT • William Paterson Albany Law School, NY • Alfred University, NY • Antioch University New England, NH • Antioch University, OH • Appalachian State University, NC • Atlanta’s John Community College, MA • Bob Jones University, SC • Boston College, MA • Boston University, MA • Bowdoin College, ME • Bowling Green State University, OH • Brandeis County College, NJ • Campbell University, NC • Carson-Newman University, TN • Cayuga Community College, NY • Cedarville College, OH • Centene University,
Science & Engineering, NY • College of New Rochelle, NY • College of St. Rose, NY • College Of The Holy Cross, MA • College of William & Mary, VA • Columbus Community College, TX • Dartmouth College, NH • Denison University, OH • Drexel University, PA • Duke University, NC • D’Youville University, NY • East Carolina University, Lakes Community College, NY • Florida International University, FL • Fulton-Montgomery Community College, NY • Gallaudet University, DC • Genesee University, GA • Grayson County College, TX • Hamilton College, NY • Hartwick College, NY • Harvard University, MA • Hilbert College, NY • Holyoke Community Madison University, VA • John Carroll University, OH • Keene State College, NH • Kennebec Valley Community College, ME • Keuka College, NY • Lafayette College, College, NY • Marlboro School of Music, PA • Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA • Medaille College, NY • Miami University, OH • Middlesex County
St. Mary’s University, MD • New Jersey Institute of Technology, NJ • Niagara County Community College, NY • Niagara University, NY • Nichols College, Community College, ME • Northwest Missouri State University, MO • Norwich University, VT • Ohio State University, OH • Ohio University, OH • Old Dominion University, ON • Quinnipiac University, CT • Randolph-Macon College, VA • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY • Rhode Island School of Design, RI • Rider University, Schenectady County Community College, NY • Shenandoah University, VA • Shorter University, GA • Siena College, NY • Skidmore College, NY • Smith College, MA College, NY • St. Joseph’s College, CT • St. Lawrence University, NY
• State University of New York at Plattsburgh, NY • State University of New York at Albany, of New York At Cortland, NY • State University of New York At Fredonia, NY • State University of New York At Geneseo, NY • State University of New York Canton, NY • State University of New York College of Environmental Science & Forestry, NY • State University of New York Institute of Technology at Utica, NY University, PA • Texas Woman’s University, TX • The Sage Colleges, NY • The State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill, of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC • The University of North Carolina Pembroke, NC • Union College, NY • Unity College, ME • University at Buffalo, NY
Farmington, ME • University of Maine at Orono, ME
• University of Maine School of Law, ME • University of Maine System, ME • University of Mary Washington,
University, OH
• Appalachian State University, NC
• Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, GA • Atlantic Cape Community College, NJ • Austin College, TX • Babson
Bowdoin College, ME • Bowling Green State University, OH • Brandeis University, MA • Bridgewater College, VA • Brookdale Community College, NJ
• Broome County
Community College, NY • Cedarville College, OH • Centene University, MO • Central Pennsylvania College, PA • Clarkson University, NY • Clemson University, SC • Cleveland
Holy Cross, MA
• College of William & Mary, VA • Columbus State Community College, OH • Connecticut College, CT • Connecticut Community College, CT University, NC • D’Youville University, NY • East Carolina University, NC • Eastern Connecticut State University, CT • Eastern Mennonite University, VA • Elms College, Community College, NY
• Gallaudet University, DC • Genesee Community College, NY • George Mason University, VA • George Washington University, DC
• Georgetown University, MA • Hilbert College, NY • Holyoke Community College, MA • Howard University, DC • Hudson Valley Community College, NY • Husson University, ME College, ME
• Keuka College, NY • Lafayette College, PA • Liberty University, VA • Limestone College, SC • Long Island University, NY • Longwood University, College, NY
• Miami University, OH • Middlesex County College, NJ
• Millikin University, IL • Mississippi State University, MS • Mohawk Valley Community College, College, NY
• Niagara University, NY • Nichols College, MA • North Carolina A&T State University, NC • North Carolina State University, NC • North Central Texas University, OH • Ohio University, OH • Old Dominion University, VA • Onondaga Community College, NY • Paul Smiths College, NY • Pennsylvania State University,
Rhode Island School of Design, RI • Rider University, NJ
• Rochester Institute of Technology, NY • Rutgers University, NJ • Saint Elizabeth University, NJ
• Saint Skidmore College, NY
• Smith College, MA
• Snead State Community College, AL
• Southeastern Oklahoma State University, OK • Southern Maine Community
NY • State University of New York at Albany, NY • State University of New York at Oswego, NY • State University of New York at Purchase, NY
Geneseo, NY
• State University of New York At Oneonta, NY
• State University of New York At New Paltz, NY
• Stony Brook University, NY
• State University
• Sullivan County Community
New York Institute of Technology at Utica, NY
• State University of New York Morrisville, NY
• State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, NY • Susquehanna College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill, NY • Thomas College, ME • Trinity College, CT • Trinity University, TX • Tufts University, MA • The University
Unity College, ME • University at Buffalo, NY
• University of Connecticut, CT
• University of Delaware, DE
• University of Georgia, GA
• University of Mary Washington, VA • University of Maryland Eastern Shore, MD • University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA • University of Massachusetts
• University of Hartford, System, ME
MS • University of Montana, MT • University of New England, ME • University of North Texas, TX • University of Notre Dame, IN • University of Rhode Island, University of Virginia, VA • University System of New Hampshire, NH • Utica College, NY
• Vassar College, NY • Virginia Commonwealth University, VA • Virginia Paterson University, NJ
• William Peace University, NC
• Williams College, MA
• Winona State University, MN • York University, ON • Young Harris College, GA John Marshall Law School, GA • Atlantic Cape Community College, NJ • Austin College, TX • Babson College, MA • Bates College, ME • Belmont Abbey College, Brandeis University, MA
• Bridgewater College, VA • Brookdale Community College, NJ
• Broome County Community College, NY • Brown Mackie College, IN University, MO • Central Pennsylvania College, PA • Clarkson University, NY
• Clemson University, SC • Cleveland State University, OH • Coastal Carolina University, Columbus State Community College, OH • Connecticut College, CT • Connecticut Community College, CT • Cornell University, NY • Corporation of Marlboro University, NC
• Eastern Connecticut State University, CT • Eastern Mennonite University, VA • Elms College, MA • Elon University, NC • Endicott College, Community College, NY • George Mason University, VA
• George Washington University, DC
• Georgetown University, DC • Georgia Institute of Technology, Community College, MA
• Howard University, DC • Hudson Valley Community College, NY
• Husson University, ME • Illinois College, IL • Iowa State University, IA College, PA
• Liberty University, VA
• Limestone College, SC • Long Island University, NY
• Longwood University, VA • Luzerne County Community College, County College, NJ
• Millikin University, IL
• Mississippi State University, MS • Mohawk Valley Community College, NY
• Monroe Community College, NY • Montclair
MA
• North Carolina A&T State University, NC
• North Carolina State University, NC • North Central Texas College, TX • North Country Community College, University, VA
• Onondaga Community College, NY
• Paul Smiths College, NY
• Pennsylvania State University, PA
• Plymouth State University, NH
• Princeton University, University, NJ
• Rochester Institute of Technology, NY
• Rutgers University, NJ • Saint Elizabeth University, NJ • Saint Peter’s University, NJ • Samford University,
• Snead State Community College, AL • Southeastern Oklahoma State University, OK • Southern Maine Community College, ME • Southern Methodist University, Albany, NY
• State University of New York at Oswego, NY
• State University of New York At New Paltz, NY • Stony Brook University, NY • Sullivan County Community College, NY • State University
• State University of New York at Purchase, NY • State University of New York at Syracuse, NY • State At Oneonta, NY
• State University of New York Morrisville, NY • State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, NY • Susquehanna University, PA • Sweet Briar College, Cobleskill, NY
• Thomas College, ME
• Trinity College, CT • Trinity University, T X • Tufts University, MA • The University of North Carolina Asheville, NC • The University
• University of Connecticut, CT • University of Delaware, DE • University of Georgia, GA • University of Hartford, CT • University of Houston-Victoria, TX
Washington, VA • University of Maryland Eastern Shore, MD • University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA • University of Massachusetts Boston, MA • University of