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

  • Tennessee Tech Starts Construction on New ACME Building

    Tennessee Tech University recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Advanced Construction and Manufacturing Engineering (ACME) Building on its campus in Cookeville, Tenn., according to university news. The $89.6-million facility is the second in a recent expansion of the College of Engineering’s buildings on campus. It’s currently scheduled to open at the end of 2028.

  • Three U.S. Universities Install Acre Security Access Control Platform

    Cloud-native physical and digital security solutions company Acre Security recently announced that it has deployed its access control platform at three major universities in the U.S., according to a news release. Acre partnered with Atrium Campus to provide coverage for more than 69,000 students at the University of Virginia (UVA), George Mason University, and Rockhurst University.

  • Image credit: O

    Strategic Campus Assessment: Moving Beyond Reactive Maintenance in Educational Facilities

    While campuses may appear stable on the surface, building systems naturally evolve over time, and proactive assessment can identify developing issues before they become expensive emergencies. The question isn't whether aging educational facilities need attention. It's how institutions can transition from costly reactive maintenance to strategic asset management in a way that protects both budgets and communities.

  • Extron, CENTEGIX Partner for Comprehensive School Security Solution

    Professional audiovisual solutions provider Extron recently announced a partnership with CENTEGIX, which provides rapid incident response technology, to integrate two of their top products in the name of school safety.

Digital Edition