ST. LOUIS (Feb. 8, 2017) – Bright new spaces offer expanded areas for experiential learning and research, plus flexible instructional teaching laboratories for the home of the College of Engineering
Tarlton Corp., a St. Louis-based general contracting and construction management firm, completed renovations to Lafferre Hall, home to the University of Missouri’s College of Engineering.
Lafferre Hall comprises several free-standing buildings on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia. Each building features its own foundation and electrical and mechanical support system. The first sections were constructed in 1892 and 1893 to train engineers working with new innovations at the time, including the production and distribution of electricity, telephones and combustion engines. Multiple additions to the main building were built over the years to accommodate growing student enrollment.
The Tarlton team was tasked to demolish and renovate the 1935 and 1944 additions of the main building to update teaching facilities and improve building flow. The renovation took place on an active, occupied campus. Project challenges included demolition on a tight site connected on three sides to the working facilities, abatement and the critical development of a safety plan for a tower crane to offset and pick much of the construction materials. Tarlton worked with more than 30 subcontractors and consultants on the project.
The scope of work included reconfiguring interior building routes to facilitate better flow; major repairs to the exterior masonry wall on the north face of the building; replacement of windows and roofs in impacted areas to solve water infiltration issues; installation of new mechanical, electrical and plumbing infrastructure systems; and addressing code, accessibility and safety issues.
The renovation created 40,000 square feet on the first floor for experiential teaching and learning laboratories, computer labs, a student machine shop, student team areas, conference rooms, study spaces and a coffee shop, plus 29,000 square feet for research. Movable laboratory equipment and partitions maximize space and potential. A two-story glass lobby and clerestory windows provide natural lighting and conserve energy. Energy-saving improvements include an air quality monitoring system, a recovery unit that reclaims both heat and moisture, and programmable LED lighting. The new spaces offer flexible instruction, provide academic support and foster collaboration for student success.
Tarlton’s construction and renovation costs totaled $31 million. The Lafferre Hall renovation project was financed in 2014 by $38.5 million in bonds issued by the Board of Public Buildings of the Office of Administration of the State of Missouri.
“As a construction management firm, we were especially honored to work on a project that will make an indelible impact on engineering students,” said Tracy Hart, president, Tarlton Corp. “The renovations to Lafferre Hall provide updated, modern spaces that optimize learning in an environment that is invested in the future development of industry technologies.”
The Tarlton construction management team included Matthew Pfund, project executive; Cameron Denison, senior project manager; Brad Grimes, project manager; and John Gasperoni, project superintendent.
The design team included Treanor Architects, lead architect; PWArchitects, architect of record; Antella Engineering, electrical engineer; and Structural Engineering Associates, civil engineer.
Tarlton also is constructing the new Mizzou softball stadium facility on Stadium Blvd., east of the Hearnes Center on the University of Missouri campus. The new stadium will provide fans with a “full view” concourse and outfield plaza, a grandstand seating capacity for nearly 1,700 people and a lawn seating area for an additional 1,000 spectators. A new parking lot will offer 535 spaces. In addition, the Tarlton Concrete Restoration Team is performing concrete restoration at the stadium. The project is slated for completion in early March to usher in the 2017 Tigers Softball season.