Kohler Ronan Consulting Engineers - Brochure: UConn Hartford

UCONN HARTFORD DOWNTOWN CAMPUS

UCONN HARTFORD DOWNTOWN CAMPUS The August 2017 opening of the University of Connecticut’s Downtown Hartford campus will certainly be remembered among the highlights of the 136-year history of the University, as well as among those of the City of Hartford. The impressive, 5-story academic building served not only to restore and renovate the historic Hartford Times Building, but to revitalize Connecticut’s capital city as well. The 1920s façade, partially constructed from materials reclaimed from New York City’s Madison Square Presbyterian Church (1906), was preserved and connects to the new facility via a 2nd story pedestrian bridge and a beautiful, naturally-lit, four-story atrium opening to a public courtyard. The courtyard welcomes students and members of the surrounding community to the burgeoning campus. Perfectly integrated among the neighboring historic structures such as Hartford City Hall and the Wadsworth Athenaeum, the UConn Hartford and its students are welcome additions to downtown.

The new campus building, totaling 160,000 square feet, accommodates 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students, as well as approximately 300 full- and part-time employees. Incorporated within the space are administrative offices, meeting rooms, state-of-the-art classrooms with AV/IT/Light Integration, high-tech laboratories with 23 active fume hoods utilizing independent flow metering valves, casual dining areas, and inviting communal gathering spaces including the dramatic atrium. At street level, around the building’s perimeter, plans called for the design of core and shell spaces for future retail occupancy. Supporting all these spaces are a total of four mechanical rooms spread across three separate buildings. The high-rise building is equipped with stair pressurization and all appropriate life safety systems.

Sustainability and an awareness of the environmental effects of the building are important considerations for the University. A goal of LEED Gold Certification was set early in the design process. This spring, the CT Trust for Historic Preservation awarded UConn Hartford with a 2018 Connecticut Preservation Award. Kohler Ronan was pleased to have collaborated with Robert A.M. Stern Architects and the entire project team on this very distinguished project.

Photography by © Peter Aaron/OTTO for Robert A.M. Stern Architects

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