Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

U.S. Military Academy at West Point: Pershing Barracks

  • 03/01/19
military school at west point

TOP RIGHT TWO PHOTOS © BRENDAN MCGIBNEY PHOTOGRAPHY, TOP LEFT AND BOTTOM PHOTOS COURTESY OF KOKOLAKIS CONTRACTING

Pershing barracks, located at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in West Point, NY, was originally constructed for academic purposes from 1891 to 1895. This historic structure is significant for its architecture, which incorporates elements of Gothic, Tudor, and Romanesque styles, and for its association with the infamous architect Richard Morris Hunt. Kokolakis Contracting’s commitment to preserve the historic integrity of this building was top priority during the preservation process and while updating the infrastructure to a modern state-of-the-art facility.

The 124,692-square-foot, four-story cadet housing facility involved complex upgrades to meet current codes and achieve LEED Silver certification. Energy-efficient features include exterior wall spray-foam insulation; insulated windows; electronic controls for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); LED lighting; and low-flow plumbing fixtures. The HVAC upgrade was especially challenging since the building did not originally have systems in place. As a building that was first completed in 1895, its structural layouts were not configured with ample space or passageways for modern building systems.

Structural flooring consists of terracotta masonry archways that span between floor beams as low as 7 feet/7 inches, with 60-inch-thick structural brick masonry walls located throughout the floors. As a result, the MEP coordination was one of the largest challenges on the project. Using Building Information Modeling (BIM), the ductwork, piping, and conduit were laid out in a manner to reduce challenges and conflicts.

Another historic preservation aspect was restoring the two faces of the clock tower. The inner workings, which have not been operable for some time, will be replaced with a new electric model. The clock tower’s missing gargoyle will also be returned to his proper location at the top of the clock tower.

The newly renovated Pershing Barracks was completed at the end of 2018, ultimately accommodating 270 cadets and six officers.

This article originally appeared in the College Planning & Management March 2019 issue of Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Hawaii Elementary School Breaks Ground on New Classroom Building

    Kealakehe Elementary School in Kailua, Hawaii, recently began construction on a new, $16-million classroom building for its campus, according to a news release. The 13,000-square-foot building will stand two stories and connect the existing upper and lower campuses.

  • nursing students talk while studying in a hallway

    Elsevier Launches VR Simulation Solution for Nursing Students

    Elsevier has introduced Shadow Health Lab with Virtual Reality, a simulation platform that allows nursing students to interact with virtual patients and build clinical judgment skills in a safe, realistic environment.

  • CU-Lock Haven Receives $1.75M Gift for New Entrepreneurship, Media Center

    Commonwealth University-Lock Haven in Lock Haven, Penn., recently received a $1.75-million donation from entrepreneur and alumnus Nicholas Subich ’17, according to a university news release. The funds will go toward establishing the Nicholas Subich Center for Entrepreneurship and Media, a technology-driven hub for innovation and experiential learning.

  • KWK Architects Announces Full Transition to Lawrence Group Branding

    KWK Architects recently announced that it will complete its transition to the Lawrence Group brand effective July 1, according to a news release. The merger marks the end of a three-year strategic integration process that began in March 2023 to unite the firms.