Client Goals

Ihmsen Hall’s location on the Mount Aloysius campus is very popular among students for its proximity to the student center and dining, but is outdated and no longer provides the quality experience that is important to students. The College’s main goal is to improve the student housing experience with a building that functions optimally from move in day throughout the year including robust building systems, circulation elements, common spaces and student rooms while securely welcoming others into designated areas of the building. The College engaged WMF to complete a comprehensive study that involved everything from a modest renovation to a complete demolition and construction of a new residence hall. The college requires all renovations to occur over summer break, and not reduce bed count.

Solutions

WMF performed a robust due diligence investigation of all options including two scales of renovation as well as ‘new build’ locations on campus. Mount Aloysius decided that a comprehensive renovation of the existing Ihmsen Hall would achieve their goals and enable them to allocate funds wisely. The design includes additional lounge space, and living/learning space for Ihmsen Residents, but also securely zoned to allow campus wide student use as well.

Upgrades to the exterior envelope, MEP Systems, elevators and sprinklers will be made as well as bringing all accessible areas to code. Improvements to the residential spaces will include soundproofing, bathroom upgrades, new furnishings and air conditioning throughout.

WMF worked with construction manager PJ Dick to develop a phased implementation schedule to achieve construction over 3 consecutive summers.

Results

The project is sequenced to occur over three successive summer breaks. Construction has progressed during Summer 2020 and 2021 and will be fully complete during Summer 2022.