Williams College Wachenheim Science Center

SGH designed the structure featuring:

• Cast-in-place concrete foundation walls extending up to 40 ft below grade on the sloped site, which helps maintain the mountain views from the science quad
• A 4 ft thick mat slab designed to resist hydrostatic pressure from groundwater
• A three-story, steel-framed superstructure for the above-grade levels housing classrooms, research laboratories, office spaces, and a mechanical penthouse
• Round architecturally exposed HSS columns in student gathering spaces, including details to maintain the clean aesthetic:
  • Column transfers with connections and splices that fit within the ceiling depth
  • Moment connections at the round columns that transition to wide flange column stubs set within the ceiling depth to create prequalified beam-column moment connections and improved panel zone shear strength
• Floor slab assemblies providing an uncoated two-hour fire rating for the laboratory chemical control areas, improved vibration performance for microscopy work, and flexibility for current and future floor penetrations typical of laboratory occupancies
• Slab depressions created with dropped steel beams, bolsters, and supplemental deck support angles to accommodate a variety of floor coverings
• A below-grade auditorium with transfer girders to create a column-free space and a sloping, stepped slab spanning to raker beams supported by concrete walls
• At-grade exterior glass walkway that brings daylight into below-grade classrooms
• A two-story pedestrian bridge and underground utility tunnel connecting to the Thompson Biology building and an underground tunnel