CBT Architects Completes First Residential Quadrangle for Champlain College

Project Brings College Closer to Goal of Housing More Students on Campus

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The "Audeamus" sculpture on Finney Quad, looking down over the amphitheatre to Butler Hall at Champlain College.

BURLINGTON, VT (10/20/2015)(readMedia)-- Champlain College celebrated the completion of the first residential quadrangle in campus history, designed by CBT Architects, Inc (CBT). Founded in 1878, Champlain College is a small, not-for-profit, private college located in Burlington, Vermont, with additional campuses in Montreal, Quebec and Dublin, Ireland. The $30 million multi-phased, 370-bed residential dormitory and quadrangle project provided the college with three new residence halls, Juniper, Valcour and Butler, which serve as the foundation for the College's master plan of bringing 90% of students on campus. The halls are named after islands on nearby Lake Champlain. Adding to the planned transformation from a commuter-focused school to a residential campus, the new "Finney Quad" provides engaging common space and landscaped areas to the community, further securing its spot as a top-tier school in the Northeast. Finney Quad is named after former College President David F. Finney.

"Champlain College has a solid reputation as a top-notch school delivering career-ready students in the highest demand fields," said Paul Viccica AIA, principal with CBT. "However, without having a solid residential community, including dormitories, dining facilities, and other student amenities, Champlain's differentiator of the career-focused model may have been overlooked by students seeking a traditional campus-based collegiate experience.. CBT was honored to play such an essential role in ensuring the future success and growth of Champlain College."

When designing the residence halls, CBT drew inspiration from the architectural aspects of the surrounding neighborhood. Known as "The Hill," area around the campus is home to stately historic homes with large porches and other traditional details. To complement this setting, the dormitory buildings are clad in brick, with dormers, porches, and unique detailing, each responding consistently to the neighborhood context.

CBT also made sure "Finney Quad" took advantage of the unique and breathtaking setting of the campus, which include clear vistas to the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain. By transforming a parking lot into centralized green space within the quad featuring an amphitheater and inviting seating, CBT shifted the focus of the campus and developed the key elements needed to create an urban context within the College. This green space is now home to year-round residential life activities, including the famous annual Rail Jam competition, hosted by the Ski and Ride Club. The space also includes a pedestrian walkway linking the campus to Main Street and downtown Burlington, physically connecting the campus to the wider community.

"These residential halls are critical to Champlain College's master plan of bringing 90 percent of the student body on campus, and play an integral role in creating an internal identity for student life," says David Provost, Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement & Finance. "We challenged CBT to not only deliver thoughtfully designed dormitories, but also create the foundation for the future of the campus. While some small schools are struggling to retain enrollment, we are attracting students to a vibrant place to live, learn, and connect with one another."

The entire residence hall project was designed with the environment in mind, and its construction meets the highest standard of sustainability, LEED Gold Certification. Key design features support this certification include high performance windows and exterior envelope design, heat recovery systems, geothermal sourced heat pumps for cooling and heating, ultra-low flow fixtures, natural daylighting with auto sensors for light fixture controls, Building Management Systems for all HVAC components, and energy efficient appliances and laundry machines.

Students are invited to play a role in preserving the environment and continually meeting these standards by utilizing the recycling centers located on every floor. Unique building features include a large common area on the first floor, with small study areas and lounge areas throughout the rest of the buildings. Juniper Hall also has a ski/snowboard tuning room that is available to residents of all Champlain College residence halls.