Last month, a building team managed by Turner Construction completed a $3.12 renovation of Emily Thigpen Hall, a 30,000-sf, three-story women’s residence hall on the Huntsville campus of Alabama A&M University.
The renovation didn’t alter the building’s basic footprint, and the construction crews took care to maintain its historical exterior. The building’s original ceilings, bathrooms, and flooring were demolished and then updated with modern finishes.
Turner has been the university’s construction manager, and essentially its owner’s rep, since 2016. The building team on the Thigpen Hall project included Nola Van Peursem Architects, Moody Nolan, Lee Builders, Mims Engineering, and EE Group. The project, whose construction started in July 2018, was brought in on time and under budget, according to Turner.
“Turner has not only worked to restore and modernize Thigpen Hall, one of the historic structures on the campus, thus demonstrating the university's commitment to historic preservation, but they also continue to invest in the future of Alabama A&M by providing our students with practical experience,” said AAMU President Dr. Andrew Hugine Jr.
According to a spokesperson, Turner has been working with alumni and interns from Alabama A&M on all of its projects for the university.
Since opening its office in Huntsville in 1955, Turner has been involved in numerous local buildings, including the Davidson Center for Space Exploration and its freestanding Saturn V rocket, the Huntsville Botanical Garden Welcome Center, the Von Braun Center, ADTRAN, Torch Technologies, Davidson Technologies, the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce, and the Huntsville Public Library.
It is currently in preconstruction for AAMU’s new events center and arena.
Emily Thigpen Hall is named after the Dean of Women for Alabama A&M College from 1944 through 1951.
Related Stories
| Feb 13, 2014
University officials sound off on net zero energy buildings
As part of its ongoing ZNE buildings research project, Sasaki Associates, in collaboration with Buro Happold, surveyed some 500 campus designers and representatives on the top challenges and opportunities for achieving net-zero energy performance on university and college campuses.
| Feb 12, 2014
IIT's College of Architecture launches the Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize
Awarded biennially with a $50,000 prize, the program will recognize the most distinguished architectural works built on the North and South American continents in the preceding two years.
| Feb 4, 2014
World's fifth 'living building' certified at Smith College [slideshow]
The Bechtel Environmental Classroom utilizes solar power, composting toilets, and an energy recovery system, among other sustainable strategies, to meet the rigorous performance requirements of the Living Building Challenge.
| Feb 4, 2014
Must see: Student housing complex made with recycled shipping containers
Architect Christian Salvati's new structure is just the first step in bringing shipping container construction to New Haven, Conn.
| Jan 31, 2014
6 considerations for rehabbing student union buildings
Most colleges and universities feel pressure to offer the latest amenities in order to attract and retain the best and brightest students. While hauling in the bulldozer to create modern facilities is attractive in some regards, deciding to renovate can be just as effective and, in some cases, even preferable to new construction.
| Jan 29, 2014
Notre Dame to expand football stadium in largest project in school history
The $400 million Campus Crossroads Project will add more than 750,000 sf of academic, student life, and athletic space in three new buildings attached to the school's iconic football stadium.
| Jan 28, 2014
16 awe-inspiring interior designs from around the world [slideshow]
The International Interior Design Association released the winners of its 4th Annual Global Excellence Awards. Here's a recap of the winning projects.
| Jan 24, 2014
First look: Foster + Partners' new home for Yale School of Management [slideshow]
Edward P. Evans Hall, the new home of the Yale School of Management, has opened for business. The 242,000-sf facility was designed by Foster + Partners, with Gruzen Samton as architect of record.
| Jan 22, 2014
SOM-designed University Center uses 'sky quads,' stacked staircases to promote chance encounters
The New School's vertical campus in Manhattan houses multiple functions, including labs, design studios, a library, and student residences, in a 16-story building.
| Jan 13, 2014
Custom exterior fabricator A. Zahner unveils free façade design software for architects
The web-based tool uses the company's factory floor like "a massive rapid prototype machine,” allowing designers to manipulate designs on the fly based on cost and other factors, according to CEO/President Bill Zahner.
