Francis Hall interior renovation earns award from builders’ group

The completely renovated interior in historic [Francis Hall] (https://cosc.arch.tamu.edu/francis-hall/) , the home of construction science education at Texas A&M, has been recognized with an award by the [Associated General Contractors’ Texas Building Branch] (http://www.agctbb.org/) .

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/) from a design by [BRW Architects] (http://www.brwarch.com/) .

The award, Best Interior Finish Project Over $5 Million, was one of several honors presented July 30 at the Texas Building Branch’s [convention] (http://www.agctbb.org/#!agc-tbb-convention/cken) in Lake Tahoe, Calif. The TBB, located in Austin, provides information about state legislation that impacts the building industry to contractors and AGC chapter members

“The TBB award is a tribute to the combined efforts of the general contractor, architecture firm, subcontractors and The Texas A&M University System’s [Facilities Planning and Construction] (http://www.tamus.edu/business/facilities-planning-construction/) Department,” said Joe Horlen, head of the [Department of Construction Science] (http://cosc.arch.tamu.edu/) .

“Francis Hall,” continued Horlen, “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 updating a nearly 100-year-old building, bringing it 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 prepared for the AGC-TBB award entry.

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,” said Horlen.

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.