Lauring Construction, a third-generation general contracting and construction management firm and AGC of Massachusetts member, is performing work at Nichols College, a private business school in Dudley, Mass., to renovate Shamie Residence Hall and Lombard Dining Hall. Lauring has worked with Nichols since 2006 and completed over 20 projects on the 200-acre campus.
Founded in 1815, Nichols is a college of choice for business and leadership education as a result of its distinctive career-focused and leadership-based approaches to learning, both in and out of the classroom, and through impactful research and professional education. It offers 21 undergraduate bachelor’s degree concentrations, four employer-driven master’s degree programs, associate’s degrees, and five certificate programs. Nichols’ entrepreneurial students take classes online, on campus, and around the world.
Shamie Residence Hall
Over the course of three phases, which began in May 2017, Lauring Construction renovated — from top to bottom — the 126-unit Shamie Residence Hall. Phase one involved renovating the core area, which connects the North and South wings, including all new finishes, HVAC, and kitchen. The South Wing was renovated during phase two: All 63 units received new paint, doors, and hardware as well as plumbing upgrades, new HVAC units, insulation, ceilings, and lighting. Hallways and bathrooms were also updated, and a new central kitchen was added. The third — and final — phase involves the same renovations to the North Wing.
The project team included:
- Owner: Nichols College
- Construction Manager: Lauring Construction
- Architect: Juster Pope Frazier LLC (JPF)
- Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Engineer: VAV International
- Structural Engineer: Johnson Structural Engineering
- Electrical Consultants: Shepherd Engineering
Lombard Dining Hall
Built in 1974, the 24,860-square foot dining hall last saw minor renovations in 2005, when it was dedicated as Lombard Dining Hall in honor of David Lombard ’65, trustee emeritus; and his wife, Susan. The lower level houses the Office of Facilities Management. This new project, which started in late 2017 and is being done in phases, will add 1,500 square feet to the building. Its current capacity is 350 diners; the renovation project will increase it to approximately 450. The facility serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner — approximately 2,000 meals per day — every day during the academic year to 940 residential students and 37 commuters who have meal plans, 40-60 faculty and staff members, and to guests. Its operating hours are limited during student breaks.
“We had three goals to meet with the dining hall project: to modernize the dining experience for our students; eliminate all deferred maintenance; and, if at all possible, increase the capacity of the facility,” said Robert LaVigne, associate vice president for facilities management at Nichols College. “Lauring Construction has done a great job with a challenging project. They respected the fact that the buildings were operational during construction and made sure to erect temporary enclosures and weather-proofing measures to protect our facilities. We are very pleased with the results so far.”
Lauring Construction has completed three of the six phases of the Lombard project, and the renovations are expected to be finished by 2021. In addition to the interior renovations, new construction includes an addition to the front main entrance and raising the roof structure by two stories to create an atrium-like space with a cathedral ceiling.
The project team for the Lombard Dining Hall included:
- Owner: Nichols College
- Construction Manager: Lauring Construction
- Architect: Juster Pope Frazier LLC (JPF)
- Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Engineer: VAV International
- Civil Engineer: CME Engineering
- Structural Engineer: Johnson Structural Engineering
- Landscape Architects: Brown + Sardinia
- Electrical Consultants: Shepherd Engineering
- Acoustical Consultants: Cavanaugh Tocci Associates
- Interior Design: Cobalt Design
- Food Service Consultants: Crabtree McGrath
Since 1948, Lauring Construction has provided general contracting and construction management services to a diverse range of clients across Worcester County. Family owned and operated, every project has a member of the ownership team as its project manager. A commitment to quality and craftmanship has resulted in many repeat clients. To learn more, please visit www.lauringconstruction.com.
