SLAM provided planning, design, pre-construction and construction management for a comprehensive multi-phased/multi-year redevelopment project for Chapel Haven, a residential educational program for adults with cognitive disabilities. The REACH building, the first phase, is a new 4-story 32,500-SF educational and residential facility.
![[logo]](https://slamcoll.com/wp-content/themes/sub151-SLAM/resources/images/logo-only.png){kind=logo}
at-a-glanceChapel Haven’s facilities were dated and not reflective of their world class programming. They were the recipients of a grant to upgrade the New Haven neighborhood campus. The challenge was the need of a master plan, approvals, building design and construction start date within a very limited time frame.
Chapel Haven was in need of a master plan, zoning approvals, building design and a construction start date. IT was needed within a very limited time frame. SLAM’s integrated design and construction team worked closely with the owner to expedite the process to get a shovel in the ground within 4 months and complete construction within a year. In addition to meeting the required deadlines, the construction team worked closely with the designers to specify methods and materials as to allow for a fast track building process.
SLAM provided master planning for the campus’s expansion. This included flipping the campus around to organize it around campus open space and not vehicular circulation.
SLAM’s integrated design and construction team worked closely to meet the fast-track schedule.
Materials were selected early in the process with the design team to aid the expedited schedule. This process included prefabricated wall panels.
The Chapel Haven campus expansion and REACH building project has strengthened the community relationship and integrated within the neighborhood physically. The newly sited facilities define the neighborhood street facade and create communal space within the campus, having both an internal and external impact. The new buildings and programming successfully extend out into the urban context through massing, programming and future employment.
Enrollment, historically, 50% of every adult accepted chose Chapel Haven. Since this new building, 100% of every person we offered admissions to has accepted.
The REACH program building before.
The REACH program building after.
It was important to use indirect lighting in most areas of the building.
Subdued colors were used with accent colors to help with way-finding.
CT Building Congress
Project Team Award
ABC CT
Excellence in Construction Award
DBIA New England
Gold Award
The Chapel Haven community and the greater New Haven community were very involved in the REACH project.
Residents were encouraged to participate and be involved in the process. SLAM received plan ideas as well as many thank-you notes.
The community, as a whole is invested in Chapel Haven and attends many of the events, including ribbon cuttings of the new building.
Matt Baker, a Chapel Haven resident and building committee member, accepted one of several awards the REACH project has received.
![[DT logo]](https://slamcoll.com/wp-content/themes/sub151-SLAM/resources/images/dt-logo-dark.png){kind=logo}
design thinkers blog
