Education

Campbell-McCabe Contributes to Project at University of Chicago

University of Chicago's Woodlawn Commons / Photos courtesy of Capstone Development Partners, Elkus Manfredi Architects

Maynard, MA – Campbell-McCabe, an independent architectural hardware consulting firm and certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), announced it recently completed work on the University of Chicago’s Woodlawn Residential and Dining Commons in Chicago. Matthew Lewis, Assoc. Arch, AHC, CDT, LEED AP is the firm’s Division 8 specification consultant on the project.

Campbell-McCabe provided door hardware consulting specification services for the new residential commons at the University of Chicago. The 361,000sf, four building facility provides 11 houses – communities designed to foster close academic and social networks throughout a student’s time at the college – and includes a large dining commons, lounges, study rooms and outdoor spaces.

In the firm’s second P3 project with Capstone Development Partners and Elkus Manfredi Architects, the team was faced with a unique challenge as the design process was well underway when the Covid pandemic began in spring of 2020. The university’s newly-developed protocols prompted a redesign of the access control system in relation to the main entry and egress doors and frames, to be able to safely welcome students back to campus in the fall. Mechanical locks were replaced with electrified-mechanical door hardware in order to incorporate remote access control for key entrances and exits. This allowed the university to restrict access to certain areas of the building when needed to accommodate the influx of students on campus while prioritizing the building occupants’ health and safety.

Turner Construction was the construction manager on the project. As a certified WBE, Campbell-McCabe’s participation contributed to the achievement of the University of Chicago’s overall goal of increasing the contracts awarded to women- and minority-owned businesses.

“With such unique challenges and characteristics, it’s been really exciting to be a part of the evolution of this project,” said Susan McCabe Messier, DHT, principal and owner of Campbell-McCabe Worldwide, LLC. “It’s an honor to support our client in creating a world-class facility that is no doubt a point of pride for the University of Chicago.”