A Construction Management Case Study
The new residence hall at The Williston Northampton School features three faculty apartments and 18 student dorm rooms housing 32 students. The construction consisted of the renovation of an existing Victorian style house, new construction of the dormitory and new construction of the connected faculty apartments.
The building is the first on the Williston campus to utilize geothermal energy for heating and cooling. The geothermal system required the drilling of 15 vertical wells each 350 feet deep that tap into the earth's constant temperature. Pumps in the building circulate a fluid through pipes that run up and down each well and eventually back into the building. That fluid is then used as fuel to heat or cool the entire building. This system is an example of environmentally responsible building and cuts energy costs while reducing the need for fossil fuels.
Fontaine acted as the construction manager on the project and was involved in every element of the process from pre construction through the finish. Fontaine's ability to self perform some of the core trades was again paramount to the success of the project as it allowed the owner greater control over the schedule and design throughout the job.
Fontaine believes in the value of Green Building, and we are proud to be involved in the construction of two buildings seeking LEED Certification. We have a LEED Accredited Professional in our office, giving us the ability to work together with architects and owners to identify ways to reduce lifecycle costs, increase occupant satisfaction, and lessen projects’ effects on the environment.
