Over the summer, the most notable difference is the development of Colony Hall, which had only just started to take form when the previous academic year ended. Prior to the summer, most of the construction work was focused on reinforcing the rear wall, so nothing more than mountainous piles of dirt were visible. But now, anyone who passes by the Paul Mellon Arts Center will notice that an enormous structure looms beside it.
Mr. Rick Saltz, Choate’s outgoing chief financial officer and the manager of the building of Colony Hall , said that construction is going as planned. “Before everyone left last May, I told people that the concrete façade would be on the building when they returned — and it is,” he said, with a smile. The steel structure was successfully delivered and installed over the summer.
Mr. Saltz did admit to some unexpected challenges. “During the final design phase, some last-minute changes in the concrete and steel structure were not picked up on the drawings. These changes caused some concern and confusion, but everything worked out, and we are now back on track,” he explained.
Inclement weather also increased the level of inconvenience for workers. Mr. Saltz pointed out that there was a lot of rain in the early summer and, in August, the temperature soared above 100 degrees multiple times. Fortunately, Shawmut, the construction company, developed a project schedule that incorporated weather conditions, so the construction remained on schedule.
Due to the concrete façade, it may seem as if the construction process suddenly hastened over the summer. However, Mr. Saltz asserted that the pace has not changed significantly. “It looks like the pace is moving faster now because the installation façade has a huge visual impact, but there has to be a lot of work done on the interior, which will not be very noticeable to the public,” he explained. “The key right now is to make the building weather-tight so that the work can continue inside without damage due to weather.”
In regards to the interior work, Mr. Saltz said that the recital hall, dance studio, and lobby had all begun to be laid out over the summer, and now wall locations and the auditorium, which will be able to hold the entire school community, are being laid out as well. Heating, cooling, and plumbing infrastructure are also being developed inside the soon-to-be Leed Gold building.
Ms. Kalya Yannatos, Director of Arts, recently had the opportunity to tour construction zone, and she eagerly shared her excitement about the new facility. “It was so thrilling to see the potential of where we are headed and know that there will be this wonderful new program space,” she mentioned. In particular, she expressed her enthusiasm about the new dance studio, which will bring back dance from a corner of the Athletics Center to the arts complex. “It’s a beautiful studio with windows to the sky and a sense of connection to the musicians, which is a wonderful collaborative opportunity,” she said.
Mr. Saltz explained that the most visible change will be the installation of doors and windows beginning in mid-October — another step closer to witnessing countless artistic pursuits that will bloom from the new center. Colony Hall is set to officially open in the fall of 2019.
