Originally constructed in 1964, Herman Hall is a cornerstone academic building at Western New England University serving the College of Arts and Sciences. Fontaine completed the comprehensive $8.3 million renovation and modernization of the 48-year-old facility in 2012, transforming the aging academic building into a contemporary learning environment while maintaining ongoing campus operations.
The multi-phase renovation expanded classroom and faculty office space and introduced new multimedia classrooms, a computer lab, conference room, upgraded Math and Writing Centers, and enhanced technology infrastructure throughout the building. The project also included the installation of a new elevator, fully accessible restrooms on every floor, and extensive ADA accessibility upgrades.
A major challenge of the renovation involved the building envelope and thermal separation systems, where complex insulation detailing created significant budget, schedule, and constructability concerns. Fontaine developed and implemented an alternative installation approach that accelerated construction while reducing costs by more than 40 percent. The project also included substantial mechanical system upgrades and modernization of core building infrastructure to support the university’s long-term academic needs.
