BOSTON, Mass.—After wrapping up three academic projects this summer at Smith College and Northeastern University, JM Coull has continued on at Northeastern with renovation projects in the Mugar Life Sciences Building.
The summer projects at Smith College in Northampton, Mass., involved renovations to five student residence halls. An important part of the Smith College experience is the residential life program, which eschews large residence halls in favor of smaller houses, each with its own character and charm. In a design-build capacity, JM Coull worked with the college to develop a program of improvements that would address maintenance needs while enhancing the buildings’ appeal to students.
JM Coull teamed with interior designer Lorin Starr of Amherst, Mass., to review the list of potential improvements and identify a scope of work that would offer the college its best return on available funds. Then, a fast-tracked plan was implemented to complete the renovations during the summer
months. JMC completed the project on time and under budget.
Northeastern University awarded two projects to JM Coull over the summer, including work in Forsyth Hall and Mugar Life Sciences Building. The team completely renovated a 187-seat Mugar lecture hall, including extensive HVAC construction, ductwork and piping in the hallways, and improvements to adjacent offices, corridors and stairwells. A laboratory renovation and upgrade was undertaken simultaneously in Forsyth Hall.
The work in Mugar Life Sciences Building continues this fall with three projects awarded to JMC. These include renovations to two chemistry laboratories, including heavy mechanical system installations, and the conversion of offices to a student advising suite. The building continues to be heavily used throughout construction, so the work is being carefully scheduled to minimize any disruption to ongoing activities.
“Historically, the majority of our work in life sciences has been in and around ongoing research projects,” said JM Coull president Andrew Coull. “This experience tells us what questions to ask and how to phase our projects so that Northeastern University’s academic mission is not compromised.”
JM Coull’s history at Northeastern University also includes the construction of research laboratories for interferometry, nanotechnology and psychology.