Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA – As colleges and private schools across the North of Boston region look to upgrade their facilities to remain competitive in their markets, many are relying on the quality and value provided by Windover Construction of Manchester-by-the-Sea to get the job done.
In fact, from residence halls, classrooms and learning centers, faculty housing and enhancing conference centers, over the last few years Windover Construction has been selected by several colleges and private schools to construct a wide variety of new and renovated spaces.
According to Lee Dellicker, president of Windover, “Many of these educational institutions operate under similar missions as Windover – that is to provide high quality and exceptional service.” Dellicker explained that Windover understands that each of these schools must provide their own unique learning and living environments that meet the needs of the students and faculty.
“Windover brings both inventive creativity and a wealth of experience to each job,” said Dellicker. He added, “We also work closely with each Board and administration, so that the individuality and true nature of each school is reflected in its projects.”
Endicott College in Beverly assigned three different projects to Windover the first of which was to create honor student housing in a former ocean-front carriage house. This 22-bed project was done in conjunction with Tappé Associates architects of Boston. The project retained several elements of the architectural style of the existing carriage house including bead board, floors and two of the horse stables. They then added higher-end finishes creating a high-quality living experience for both students and summer conference attendees.
This seaside liberal arts college also contracted with Windover to do a design/build of a connection between Tupper Hall and The Meeting Place. This connection, which is in keeping with the architecture of the existing buildings, will be complete this March.
Windover was also selected by Endicott College to do a design/build of a 260 bed, four-story, 65,000sf dorm. Working with Bergmeyer Associates of Boston, this fast-track project will begin construction the day after the spring 2010 semester ends and open the summer of 2011. Located in the heart of the Endicott College campus, the dorm includes lots of green open space out front, in addition to interior lounges and a fitness center.
Groundbreaking on a new 28,000sf facility at the Children’s Center for Communication (a.k.a. Beverly School for the Deaf) in Beverly is set for March 2010. This two-story design/build project being done by Windover Construction in association with Peterman Architects of Concord will feature classrooms, a library and a new cafeteria. This is the first major construction project at this school in decades and will be built while the rest of the campus is operating. Construction is expected to be complete in January 2011.
The Brookwood School, a non-profit, non-denominational, coed day school for Grades Pre-K through eight in Manchester-by-the-Sea enlisted Windover to do a last minute summer renovation in 2009. Working with Alexander Coogan Architects also of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Windover tore down an existing circulating hallway and constructed a new addition and renovated existing classrooms. The project included custom lockers so the children can store both books and sports equipment, new bathrooms and lights and upgrades to the mechanical and electric systems.
Portions of this three-month, fast-track Brookwood project were in a turn-of-the-century carriage house to which Windover added crisp, clean looks, while maintaining the character of the building. The end result is a new entrance and focal point that creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the students.
At a private school in Byfield, The Governor’s Academy, the oldest boarding school in America, which serves students in grades nine through twelve, Windover worked with TMS Architects of Portsmouth, NH, to construct 4,150sf of new faculty housing.
Yet another example of Windover’s institutional construction experience came at Montserrat College of Art in Beverly where they constructed the Helena J. Sturnick Village, a 27,000sf dorm and arts center spread over two-, three- and four-story buildings. This design/build collaboration between Windover and Siemasko & Verbridge Architects of Beverly used modular construction and the greenest and most environmentally friendly materials, systems and building practices available. Completed in August 2009, the project was finished in just 13 months and was on time and under budget.
“Windover is thrilled to be part of so many varied and exciting educational projects,” said Dellicker. “We’re looking forward to growing this practice and using our expertise to deliver projects for other educational facilities in eastern MA, NH, ME and beyond.”