Dorm renovations underway

In a process that progressed "faster than expected," the University has completed the first phase of renovations of the Quadrangle as well as structural changes to the Hill College House dining hall, Penn officials said. Though years of planning and construction remain, these changes mark the first major steps in a 10-year, $300 million project announced last fall to dramatically alter students' dormitory and dining spaces. The Quad renovations -- a $75 million project in itself -- will ultimately merge the Quad's current four college houses into three, add new facilities and utility systems and repair and restore parts of the building's architecture. This summer's changes, which began in late May, were the first of four main phases and consisted primarily of restoration of the exterior architecture and installation of new mechanical infrastructure. "I think people will see a difference," Director of College Houses and Academic Services David Brownlee said of the recent renovations. The changes that won't be readily visible to students include new systems installed in the Quad's basement for bringing hot and cold water, electrical service and air conditioning connections to the rooms. While rooms will not have air conditioning connections this year, Brownlee said as many as one-third of the rooms may have that amenity after next summer. Other renovations included cleaning the exterior brickwork and limestone in the oldest section of the Quad, the stretch along Woodland Walk, between Memorial Tower -- the 37th Street entrance -- and the western corner. "Every inch of mortar was routed out and replaced," Brownlee said, adding that with the help of sand brought in from the Great Lakes, that section now sports a reddish tint and should be "good for another 100 years." In addition to the structural changes, the area of the Quad formerly known as Butcher-Speakman-Class of '28, was completely refurnished, as were parts of Ware and Community houses, where new lounges were built. Memorial and Provost Towers were also thoroughly cleaned. Finally, a new roof was constructed above Memorial Tower. Because of the lack of rain this summer, workers unexpectedly did not lose a single construction day, Associate Vice President for Campus Services Larry Moneta said, allowing this first phase -- the cheapest of the four, at a cost of about $15 million -- to be completed by the August 16 deadline. While some work may continue throughout the school year, it will not be extensive enough to cause any major disruptions for students, Moneta said in May. That will include working on three mechanical rooms in the basement and repaving the area outside Memorial Tower, Brownlee said. Other yet-to-be-determined projects will be be worked on where possible. The administration plans to notify students about the new and upcoming renovations via a newsletter, and Brownlee said officials will continue to tell residents when they decide on other projects. Renovations to Hill Dining, while far less costly than those to the Quad -- about $1 million, according to Moneta -- should nevertheless be a major aesthetic and functional improvement, Brownlee said. A wide variety of seating was built in around the perimeter of the facility, including booths, stools and conventional tables. Additionally, the walls were replaced and the serving stations redesigned to make them more conducive to the demonstration cooking style of Bon Appetit, the University's new food services contractor, Brownlee added. A formal opening of the facility will be held today. In a second phase over winter break, the University will renovate Hill's private dining room and create a retail shop for service outside dining hours. The entire 10-year project calls for renovating all 12 current college houses, which will likely include destruction of the Stouffer Triangle building in favor of a more transparent dining facility. Additionally, administrators plan to construct between two and five new dormitories -- housing about 1,000 beds -- in Hamilton Village, the area formerly known as Superblock. Preliminary designs for the new look of Hamilton Village were prepared over the summer. Six architectural firms submitted designs, from which the University plans to select the best aspects of each in creating at least one new building and substantially renovating the existing high rises and low rises.

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