Capital Projects

LARTS building restoration 

Project overview

The UMass Dartmouth Liberal Arts and Sciences or LARTS building, originally designed by mid-century modernist architect Paul Rudolph, opened in 1966 as the first academic building on the 710 acre Southeastern Massachusetts Technical Institute campus.  Many of the largest academic programs in the humanities and social sciences and a majority of the university’s student support centers are located in the 165,000 sq ft LARTS building.

The restoration project will address critical repairs to the existing building envelope, and original mechanical, electrical and life safety systems that have reached the end of their useful life cycle.  Upgrades to outdated building systems will include energy efficiency improvements like a new geothermal heating and cooling system, triple pane windows, new insulated roof, and new electrical and lighting systems. Classrooms, student support centers, and other communal learning spaces will receive new furniture and technology upgrades.

Project update

This summer the project team has continued to investigate existing conditions of the building and surrounding area as they prepare for the renovation. During the fall semester the design team will work to complete documents for bidding and construction. The 18 month long renovation project is scheduled to begin after the 2025 spring semester. Building occupancy and reopening will take place before the start of the 2027 spring semester.

CVPA building restoration

Project overview

The UMass Dartmouth College of Visual and Performing Arts Building opened in the spring of 1977 and was the last of the Paul Rudolph brutalist style buildings constructed on the main campus.  Many of the University’s studios, classrooms, and administrative offices are located at the CVPA building along with gallery and exhibition areas, media labs, and performance space for music students.
The project scope will include the replacement of all exterior windows with new triple glazed energy efficient windows, the restoration of the masonry and concrete building facade and surrounding patios and stairs and the addition of a gender neutral restroom.

Project update

The construction team has been busy this summer restoring and, in some areas, replacing sections of concrete and masonry at exterior patios and stairs that surround the CVPA building.  Window replacements are scheduled to begin in select areas of the building during the fall 2024 semester and continue through the summer of 2026.