South Hadley, MA
Mount Holyoke College, Boat House
Scope/Solutions
The Mount Holyoke College rowing team needed a permanent riverside boat house. Through a partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the new boat house also provides a space for community programming and access for disabled rowers. SGH was the structural engineer for the new boat house.
SGH designed the boat house structure, located on the Connecticut River in a flood zone, in accordance with FEMA “wet-floodproofing” standards to allow the building to withstand occasional flooding.
Highlights of our structural design also include the following:
- Designed the timber-framed superstructure to allow for two large, column-free, boat storage bays and support for future vertical expansion, including an elevator and storage mezzanine
- Detailed the long skylight at the roof ridge to resist wind and seismic loading
- Developed special detailing and designed built-up wind girts constructed of engineered timber to limited the need for lateral bracing
- Collaborated with the architect to provide material efficiency and uniform appearance exposed framing and to accomplish the architectural vision by aligning details with windows and flood doors in the foundation stem walls
Photo courtesy of Peterson Architects
Photo courtesy of Peterson Architects
Photo courtesy of Peterson Architects
Photo courtesy of Peterson Architects
Photo courtesy of Peterson Architects
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Project Summary
2006
Completion Date
Solutions
New Construction
Services
Structures | Performance & Code Consulting
Markets
Education
Client(s)
Peterson Architects
Specialized Capabilities
Building Design | Risk & Resilience Assessment
Key team members
Matthew Johnson
Structural Engineering Division Head, Chicago
Additional Projects
Northeast
Hotchkiss School Natatorium
During its first winter, the owner reported problems, including brown stains and water dripping from the ceiling, efflorescence on exterior masonry, condensation on glazing systems, and heavy ice accumulation at roof eaves.
Northeast
New England Conservatory, Student Life and Performance Center
The New England Conservatory wanted to create a hub for students by providing gathering spaces, dormitories, a library, practice rooms, and performance venues all in one new building. SGH provided building enclosure and building science consulting services for the project.