Francis Hall transformation honored by builders’ group

The transformation of a nearly 100 year-old Francis Hall into the new home of construction science education at Texas A&M has been recognized as one of the nation’s top renovation projects in 2015 by [The Associated General Contractors of America] (https://www.agc.org) , a national construction industry trade association.

AGC honored the renovation during its annual convention in San Antonio March 10, 2016 at the Aliant Build America Awards ceremony.

The project earned the “Building Renovation Under $10 Million” award, one of three national AGC renovation award categories.

“Recipients of the Alliant Build America Awards have demonstrated construction excellence, are building a better world and improving our life,” said Peter Arkley, Alliant Insurance Services' senior managing director. “Each project reflects the crucial combination of contractor excellence with talented workers and quality safety programs.”

The renovation, which includes a new auditorium, building information modeling facility, videoconferencing room, several specialty labs and exposed building systems for use as a teaching aid, was performed by general contractor [Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, Inc.] (http://www.satpon.com/) , [BRW Architects] (http://www.brwarch.com/) , [JQ] (http://www.jqeng.com/) , a structural and civil engineering firm, and the Texas A&M University Systems’ [Facilities Planning and Construction] (http://www.tamus.edu/business/facilities-planning-construction/) Department.

“Francis Hall,” said Joe Horlen, head of the Department of Construction Science, “is one of a kind not only in Texas but throughout the nation and will serve our department and the construction industry very well for many years as we work to educate the next generations of industry leaders.”

The renovation team was challenged with bringing Francis Hall into conformity with modern building codes and standards and equipping it with the latest components, said S&P Construction and BRW in a project summary.

Crews demolished the building’s interior, down to its frame and floors, and abated hazardous materials that included asbestos, plaster and adhesives.

In an unforeseen hurdle, a manufacturing defect was discovered in all of the building’s 255 new windows after they had been installed. The renovation team removed all the windows, rebuilt them onsite and reinstalled them, all without creating a major schedule delay.

Francis Hall’s centerpiece, an auditorium named to honor Bob Segner, a longtime professor of construction science, was restored to its original two-story layout after it had been housed on the second floor since a 1950s renovation.

“This challenging part of the auditorium’s renovation required the removal of all the concrete and beams that were installed to support the auditorium’s second floor seating and involved a massive amount of demolition,” said the project summary.

“The team rebuilt and refinished the space with modern systems and components, including a new skylight — part of the building’s original design that had been covered by roofing for many years.”

The new interior also features exposed mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems that are typically hidden behind walls or ceilings so students can see the systems’ elements and better understand how they operate, said Horlen.

“Francis Hall not only houses our department but serves as a laboratory, an invaluable experience for our students,” he said..

The $10 million renovation was funded through a combination of public and private sources. Texas A&M provided $4.5 million and the Department of Construction Science’s [Industry Advisory Council] (https://cosc.arch.tamu.edu/industry/) raised the remaining $5.5 million from industry partners and individual donors, many of whom are former students.

Students began attending classes in the renovated building in the spring 2015 semester, and a dedication and open house took place April 9.