University of Hartford

During the proposal process, the SLAM team determined that the originally planned location would require significant utility relocation and exacerbate the disorganized functional relationships within the existing buildings. Relocating the site to the south side of the existing building would avoid the cost of utility relocation and provide a more prominent architectural image for the Art School.

The two story addition consisted of a “U” shaped plan that connected to the existing building on both floors at two locations. This provided close connection between the various disciplines and integrated the new space with the existing, offering increased collaboration and access to equipment and display spaces. Because the addition matched up at both existing floor levels the cost of a new elevator was avoided resulting in a construction cost savings of almost $100,000. Additionally, the building was able to be considered a single fire area, thereby eliminating expensive separation walls and the existing toilet fixtures were adequate to satisfy the entire structure.