Cushing Academy, Sawyer Hopkins Hall & Wellness Center

A DORMITORY FEATURING A WELLNESS CENTER, ENHANCES STUDENT’S ACCESS TO CARE

For over five years, our Timberline team has been working with Cushing Academy, a private, coeducational college-preparatory school for boarding and day students, on their campus improvements. The latest completed project, this residence hall and wellness center, is the second ground-up dormitory we have completed for the school. Timberline was selected as a trusted partner, as we have been successfully working with the active campus, and thoroughly understand the schools’ objectives, standards and processes.

The ground floor houses a comprehensive wellness center dedicated exclusively to students, featuring spaces for overnight observation and essential mechanical areas. The upper floors are designated for residential use, including dorm rooms, faculty apartments and communal amenities. The dormitory includes 60 double-occupancy rooms, ensuring comfortable accommodations for students. Faculty apartments are strategically placed in each wing to foster a supportive living-learning environment.

One significant challenge was the installation of new fiber optic cabling across the campus, necessary to maintain connectivity for the fire alarm system and VOIP services. The existing fiber cabling was undocumented, posing a problem in identifying and reconnecting each fiber without disrupting services. To solve this issue our trade partner detailed every fiber cable from the Administration Building to the splice location beyond Sawyer-Hopkins. The final cut-over to the new fiber system was carried out over two weeks, with one building transitioned per day.

Engineering Class Site Tour

Years of partnership with the school allowed our team to hold a unique position during this project: being part of the educational curriculum. Our on-site superintendents coordinated with the teachers of the engineering classes to enable a real-time construction experience. Depending on the project’s phase, the students learned about what was happening throughout the construction management process. We engaged with the students to discuss topics such as the building foundation and LEED, as well as the importance of partnerships and teamwork amongst our internal and external project partners. This innovative approach of merging practical construction with educational engagement sets a new standard for community involvement and professional development.

As of September 2024, both students and faculty are occupying the dorm and accessing the Wellness Center.

Photography credit: Anton Grassl