Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

University of Alabama Completes Construction on New Dormitory

  • By Matt Jones
  • 12/08/22

Construction management firm HPM recently announced that it has finished construction on a new residence hall at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Julia Tutwiler Hall covers 383,000 square feet and will serve as the new home for more than 1,200 female students across 625 two-person rooms, 35 Resident Advisor rooms, and apartments for housing staff, according to a news release. The new facility is a replacement for the existing Tutwiler Hall, built in 1968, which was demolished earlier this year.

HPM served as the project’s program manager, overseeing elements like budget, scheduling and project management. The firm offered a foundation and site package featuring several options for foundation systems, which gave the university additional choices during the bidding process. The options presented the opportunity for significant price cuts, the news release reports.

“We are pleased with our team’s hard work in tackling any challenges that arose during the construction of this monumental addition to the University of Alabama’s campus, which sets a new standard for on-campus housing,” said Ryan Austin, HPM President. “Our relationship with the university over the years has been incredibly valued within our company, and I am proud that we have continued to serve this partnership with program management excellence on numerous projects. Our expertise in every step of the construction lifecycle has driven home success for this client time and time again, and we look forward to continuing our work with the university in the future.”

HPM dealt with a number of material shortages and price hikes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the press release reports, including the realization that the building’s insulation wouldn’t arrive before the anticipated completion date. The team pivoted and selected another product of the same quality as the original. The HPM team also successfully completed the project without any COVID outbreaks at the worksite. The project was delivered on schedule and under budget.

According to the university website, the space will contain amenities like community living spaces and study spaces; a fitness center; a multipurpose room that can serve as a storm shelter; and campus favorite Julia’s Market, a food service venue that will carry over from the previous Tutwiler Hall.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • North Texas School District Completes Third New Elementary School

    The Denton Independent School District in Dallas, Texas, recently finished construction on its third prototype design elementary school, Reeves Elementary, according to a news release.

  • Massachusetts K–12 District Selects Architect for New Junior High

    Swansea Public Schools in Swansea, Mass., recently announced that it has selected Finegold Alexander Architects to design a new junior high school for the district, according to a news release. The firm will create the Feasibility Study and Schematic Design for Joseph Case Junior High School after a lengthy selection process by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

  • Round Rock ISD Completes New Early College High School

    Round Rock ISD near Austin, Texas, recently announced that construction is complete on a new, 46,500-square-foot campus for Early College High School, according to a news release. The new facility will allow the school’s students and staff to move from portables into a permanent building and increase its enrollment to 500.

  • Illinois District Boosts Security at High-School Stadium

    Richmond-Burton Community High School in Richmond, Ill., recently announced that it has completed the redesigned entrance to its high school stadium with a new focus on school security and community engagement, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects and Engineers on the project as part of District #157’s year-long facilities master plan.

Digital Edition