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  Upgrades to outdated building systems will include energy efficiency improvements like a new geothermal heating and cooling system, triple pane windows, new insulated roof, and new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

On October 1st the project entered Phase 2 of construction. This phase involves removing existing windows in common areas and installing new triple-pane windows. Each window opening will require about 7-14 days from removal to fully cure the new window caulk. A temporary dividing wall has been set up inside to shield the building's interior from the work. Most of the Phase 1 work is focused on the east and west stairwells in the common areas. As of today, the abatement process for Phase 1 has been completed. Over the next 2-3 weeks, the contractor will begin installing the new triple-pane windows. During this installation, the contractor will work at various elevations around the east and west stairwells, which will require temporarily closing the north and south entrances for a few days each, as they fall within the installation buffer zone. Adequate signage will be in place to direct people to use alternative entrances, specifically the doors located at the center of the building.