The Hamilton College Unified Science Building was constructed to house the College's entire science department under one roof. The Project consisted of 175,000 square feet of new construction and 35,000 square feet of renovation to an existing 1920’s building. From Schematic Design Drawings, Barr & Barr worked with Einhorn Yaffee and Prescott Architects through several iterations of the preliminary designs until the massing of the building and the selection of the materials met the Owner’s budget. Throughout the process, Barr & Barr continually looked at phasing and construction sequence that would allow the Owner to occupy the building in less then 6 semesters.

Working in fast track type of project delivery, a GMP was established at the 50% construction documents phase and the design team began to assemble drawings packages for bid. Barr & Barr, working closely with Owner and the Architect, was able to hold the original GMP with less then 1% in changes during the entire 28-month project.

The academic calendar necessitated the need to construct the façade and roughly half the structure of the second phase of the building during the construction of the first phase. This required close coordination with the structural engineer to ensure the footing depth would remain consistent with those of the 1968 addition. This addition housed the biology and physics departments which was scheduled to be removed in during the second phase. However due to space constraints the building had to remain open during the 22 months of the first phase. Barr & Barr worked with the local code officials and Einhorn Yaffee and Prescott to construct alternate egress paths through the existing building. This allowed the new structure to be built with in 7 feet of the 60’s building.

The first phase of the project was built during an extremely harsh winter '02 and '03. To combat the snow and extreme cold an innovative panel system was constructed. These panels covered the outside of the building and allowed all concrete slab on deck work and spray fire proofing work to continue during the winter. These panels allowed flexible layout and did not interfere with the finishes of the building. They were lightweight and durable and they were used to cover the scaffold for the mason on the second phase.

The final phase of the project consisted of the renovation of the historic 1925 structure. The physical connection between the new and renovated spaces was contained within this building. It involved extensive earth retention, underpinning and shoring of the existing structure from the foundation to the roof.

An impressive aspect of this building was the use of local contractors. Over 60% of the direct work was awarded to contractors from the Oneida County and over 90% going to firms from the Albany to Syracuse Area.