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

  • Indiana University Launches Capital Campus in D.C.

    Indiana University recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new IU Capital Campus in Washington, D.C., according to university news. The eight-story facility will provide a central hub for the university’s existing programs and business operations based in D.C., uniting them under one roof and providing the opportunity to expand.

  • University of Oklahoma Announces New Campus Master Plan

    The University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., recently announced that it will soon launch a new, comprehensive Campus Master Plan to guide the campus’ physical development during the next decade, according to a news release.

  • Rowan University, HPE Partner on New Learning Initiative

    Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J., recently announced that it has expanded its partnership with enterprise technology provider HPE to improve research capabilities and hands-on learning opportunities, according to a news release.

  • UTampa Breaks Ground on STEM Academic Facility

    The University of Tampa in Tampa, Fla., recently broke ground on one of its largest academic facilities ever, according to a news release. The Dickey Science Innovation Center will measure 153,000 square feet and has a scheduled completion date of fall 2028.