Countway L1 Renovation News Weekly news and updates about the 2023 L1 renovation project. Countway cares about keeping you on track.

Updates

Photo looking into a new study room on L1 at Countway LibraryAugust 4, 2023

After seven months of construction, 31 weekly meetings, countless breakout meetings, night shifts, weekends, and dedication, the construction company is pleased to report the L1 Certificate of Occupancy is in hand! We will be working towards the completion of our remaining items, but this is a huge accomplishment for everyone involved!

Stay tuned for announcements about the official September 5th opening. And save the date now for our Renovation Celebration on September 29th!

 

Photo of the L1 atrium, taken from the 1st floor of Countway Library.July 28, 2023

We will be spending the next few weeks preparing for the beginning of the semester and opening the classrooms to graduate students on September 5th. We officially passed the Boston Fire Department fire alarm witness test/record of completion for the Countway L1 space, as well as received ISD/BFD Certificate of Occupancy! While the renovation is technically complete, there is still a lot to be done to coordinate all the service aspects of the space. The goal is to complete all these logistics and tie up loose ends during the month of August to be ready by September 5th. In preparation for September 5th classrooms opening, the following items/tasks are on the punch list:

  • Awaiting furniture that was on back order
  • Awaiting equipment for the viz wall
  • Performing several walk-throughs with Campus Planning, Security, Facilities, Custodial, IT, and AV Services

 

Collage of photos showing newly renovated spaces throughout the lower level of CountwayJuly 21, 2023

The project is moving to a close as we generate final punch list items and wait for the Boston Fire Department inspection. Once everything goes well with the fire testing, HMS will obtain the Certificate of Occupancy, and L1 will be available to use. IT will begin installing the technology once we receive ownership of the space, and the architectural firm will come onsite for final walk-throughs. We will have an onsite walk-through with folks from Video Production Services and IT to ensure that the space is ready for usage and to address any other final issues/logistics. Click on the image to the right to see how beautiful the new space looks!

 

Photo of a blue couch and table with a window to the garden in the backgroundJuly 12, 2023

The L1 renovation project is almost complete! The final testing of fire alarms and other systems will take place over the next few weeks. The furniture installation is almost entirely finished, and the team is working to resolve any last-minute punch list items. Technology installations will also begin towards the end of the month. The new study rooms will be reservable via LibCal (similar to the 2nd floor rooms) and the classrooms will be coordinated through Room Scheduling. We look forward to welcoming everyone to our new space in time for the fall semester!

 

Photo of new monitors installed on L1 at Countway LibraryJune 23, 2023

Here are the ongoing activities for the next week:

  • Flooring and ceiling tile work ongoing until next week
  • Casework & Millwork install are ongoing until 6/29
  • Furniture delivery began 6/20 and the install will be ongoing for 1 week

There have been some minor delays to the project. A formal onsite walkthrough to discuss punch list items will occur on July 6th, and the certificate of occupancy will be handed back to HMS on July 11th. IT will begin installing the tech equipment after July 11th and L2 will be fully functioning throughout the summer.

Lastly, the construction company will be working this weekend at the library on June 24th and 25th from 6am-2pm. There will be no high impact/intrusive work; the crew needs to make some space and time in preparation for the furniture delivery.

 

Rendering of students sitting at study tables in the new L1 renovation at Countway LibraryJune 15, 2023

Updates from our construction team this week:

  • Flooring work ongoing until next Tuesday 6/20
  • Ceiling tile install started this week and will be ongoing until the end of next week
  • Casework & Millwork install are ongoing until 6/29
  • Furniture delivery was postponed to 6/20 and the install will be ongoing for 1 week
  • Fire Alarm programming and Texting is scheduled for 6/15 at 6pm

 

Photo of new carpet installed on floor L1 in Countway Library.June 9, 2023

We're excited to announce that the renovation project is on track and major construction is scheduled to finish by June 30th! New technology will be installed throughout the summer. And the new L1 classrooms will be available through Room Scheduling in time for the Fall semester.

The cracks in the ceiling (1st floor) will be repaired throughout the next couple of weeks, Friday-Sunday.

 

New carpet being installed in L1 in Countway LibraryMay 18, 2023

Things are coming together! Here are some L1 renovation project updates from our construction team this week:

  • No construction work will take place 5/24-5/26 due to Graduation Week
  • Flooring and tiling work is scheduled to start 5/19 for two weeks
  • The architectural finishes installation process will start 6/1

 

Collage of construction photos from the week of May 1, 2023 showing a construction worker installing new drywall.May 9, 2023

Lots of activity happening with the L1 renovation project! Here are a few updates from our construction team this week:

  • Plumbing installs in Rare book area completed
  • Plumbing tie-in in L2 bathroom is still ongoing for the next two weeks
  • Z-Duct installation in the 3 classrooms starting Thursday 5/4 for 1 week
  • Ceiling grid & whiteout process will start a week later followed by connection of the devices to the tiles
  • Flooring is starting the week of 5/8
  • Casework / Millwork is targeted to start mid-May

 

Collage of construction photos from the week of April 16, 2023 showing new drywall installed in L1.April 17, 2023

Renovation updates from our construction team this week:

  • Board and tape started last week and will be ongoing for another 2 weeks
  • Plumbing installation work began on L1 and L2 last week and will be ongoing for another 2-3 weeks (this work will be complete before the library opens each day)
  • The first coat of paint was applied on Monday 4/17!

 

Photo of four hard hats hanging in a construction zoneApril 5, 2023

A few updates from our construction team:

  • Wall Blocking & MEP Wall / Overhead Rough will be done by the end of this week.
  • Rough in Inspection will take place on April 6.
  • Board & tape will start the week of April 10 and will be ongoing for about 3 weeks.
  • Painting 1st coat paint will be starting on April 17.
  • Plumbing Install Sanitary Connection LL2 will begin April 8 and will last between 2-3 weeks. All work will be complete before the library opens each day.

 

three women wearing construction hats with the words "Women in Construction" written underneath.March 24, 2023

National Women in Construction Week (WIC Week) took place on March 5-11th, 2023. This week's Director's Corner message is dedicated to highlighting and honoring three women currently working on the L1 renovation project. Lillia, Lynn, and Kalyn do a tremendous job leading, organizing, and designing the project. Click here to read the Director's Corner message to view their bios and pictures, and to learn how and why they got involved in working in this field.

 

Rendering of Countway Library L1 renovation showing two students seated a table and one walking down the hallway.March 16, 2023

The L1 renovation project is coming along nicely! Interior partition framing for rooms is substantially complete at this point. This week the construction teams will work on electrical power and lighting, plumbing on L1 and L2, installing the HVAC system, and installing new sprinklers. Next week they will work on preparing for city inspections as well as receiving sheetrock for the walls.

Want to actually see what’s going on behind those walls? Check out this fascinating time-lapse video! Stay tuned for more over the coming weeks…

 

Sign taped to the wall reading "Please pardon our appearance during construction."March 2, 2023

Plumbing work in the ceiling of the stacks on L2 (on the north side of the building) will begin this Saturday, March 4th. Heavy drilling will be done from 6-10am and other potential noisy work will be undertaken 10am-2pm. This work will continue for the next 2-3 weeks.

As a reminder, free ear plug dispensers are located at the Information Desk on L1 and in the Russell Reading Room on the 2nd floor.

 

Photo of empty L1 floorFebruary 16, 2023

The containment and abatement phase has now concluded, and construction working hours are now switching to first shift (6am-2pm). This means that we will return to closing at midnight Sunday-Thursday!

Currently, contractors are removing the ceilings to clean out the wiring and preparing for new data drops. The next step is for a design company to come in and lay out a physical floor plan. As a reminder: if you need them, please help yourself to free ear plugs, located in the Russell Reading Room!

 

Collage of construction photos showing L1 empty except for plastic sheeting covering the walls and some of the ceiling and floor.February 3, 2023

The containment and abatement phase of the project will conclude on February 14th. Contractor working hours will then move to 1st shift (6am-2pm). The library will switch back to closing at midnight once this phase is complete. The project is still on track to finish by June 30th.

 

January 27, 2023Collage of five Countway L1 construction photos showing bare, stripped down spaces with some protective coverings and construction equipment.

We are still in the abatement phase of the project (this will last 4 weeks). Contractors built a temporary wall to block off the construction area from the Info Desk/atrium area on L1. Signage (Walsh Brothers logo) announcing the project was installed on L1 and outside the building. Contractors officially removed the shelving. Also, the design team is working to finalize the furniture and AV needs for the new space. As a reminder, the library will be closing the month of January and February at 11pm Sunday-Thursday to accommodate the third shift work. The crew will primarily use the Freight elevator and Gordon Hall as entrances. The project is still on track to finish by June 30th!

 

January 20, 2023Collage of eight construction photos showing L1 of Countway Library, some areas prepared for construction, empty shelves, construction materials, and signs informing passersby about the construction project.

Abatement, which is the noisy work, started on January 18th and will last 4 weeks. Contractors built a temporary wall to block off the construction area from the Info Desk/atrium area on L1. Signage (Walsh Brothers logo) announcing the project was installed on L1 and outside the building. Soon, contractors will start the removal of shelving and other demolition work. The library will be closing the month of January and February at 11pm Sunday-Thursday to accommodate the third shift work. The crew will primarily use the Freight elevator and Gordon Hall as entrances.

 

January 19, 2023Photo of a containment wall next to tables and chairs on the L1 floor of Countway Library

Things are beginning to look very different on L1! Containment walls have been constructed on both ends of L1 to separate the atrium from the construction areas, and construction will take place during third shift so the library is currently closing at 11pm Sunday-Thursday. Want to learn more about the L1 renovation project? Check out the official Renovation webpage for regular updates, FAQs, renderings, and more!

 

January 13, 2023

This week, the contractors prepared for the site containment and abatement work. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday the crew was onsite from 5-9am to start the temporary duct work down on L1 and building a wall to block off the construction area from the Info Desk/atrium area on L1. The third shift (11pm to 6am) will go through mid-February. Abatement, which is the noisy work, will start January 18th. A dumpster will be installed on the Huntington side of the building near the freight elevator and some fencing with signage (Walsh Brothers logo) announcing the project. Also beginning next week, they will start the removal of shelving and other demolition work. The library will be closing the month of January and February at 11pm Sunday-Thursday to accommodate the third shift work. The crew will primarily use the Freight elevator and Gordon Hall as entrances.

 

January 6, 2023

This week, the contractors were taking pictures of L1 in preparation for the site containment and abatement work. Third shift work will begin on January 12th when the workers will start the temporary duct work down on L1 and blocking off the construction area. The third shift will go through mid-February. A dumpster will be installed on the Huntington side of the building near the freight elevator along with some fencing with signage announcing the project. All the permits for the dumpster, demolition and items needed for this phase of the work have been approved and received. More updates to come!

 

January 5, 2023An artist's rendering of the completed Countway Library L1 renovation project, featuring one student sitting at a computer desk and another standing in front of a white board.

Happy New Year! The L1 renovation project is on track for 2023, and visitors will start noticing changes soon. The Site Containment Phase has begun, which means that a temporary wall will soon be constructed between the L1 atrium (where the Info Desk is located) and the rest of the floor to block off the construction area.

Noisy construction work will take place during third shift (11pm-6am), which is why the library will close at 11pm Sunday-Thursday. Stay tuned for more updates!

 

December 15, 2022

Our architects and construction team will be onsite performing assessments throughout the Winter Recess and construction will begin in earnest early/mid January for our L1 renovation project.

We are excited to announce that our time-lapse cameras will be returning for this renovation! They will be installed in January, so stay tuned for video updates. In the meantime, check out the fascinating time-lapse videos from the 2021 renovation on the Renovation Time-lapse Videos webpage!

 

December 9, 2022

The L1 construction is set to begin the week of December 26th. On December 27th through December 30th the construction crew, DBMI, and NEJM will be in the building between the hours of 7am and 5pm. They will enter through Gordon Hall, and Security will be present in the Countway building.

 

December 1, 2022

We are very excited to announce that renovations are set to begin shortly on Countway’s Lower Level 1 (L1). This renovation will add study rooms and seating areas, offer new classroom space, incorporate new technology and innovative learning features, and provide space for countless new programs and initiatives.

Construction workers will use the Huntington entrance and Freight elevator, and the South (garden) side elevators will also be designated for construction use. There will not be any disruption to the Info Desk or atrium area. There will be barrier walls constructed to separate the construction area form the atrium area.

The team is in the process of finalizing lighting, furniture, painting, and finishes. The entire project should be finished by graduation if we do not run into supply chain issues.

We look forward to sharing information about the renovation as it progresses throughout the winter and spring. Stay tuned for exciting updates!

 

Architect Renderings

Rendering of the new tech hub of the completed Countway Library L1 renovation featuring a white board, tables with chairs, and computers at desks.
L1 tech hub

 

Rendering of the completed Countway Library L1 renovation as seen from the top of the stairs.
View down into L1 atrium

 

Rendering of an open seating area in the completed Countway Library L1 renovation.
L1 open seating areas

 

Rendering of a new classroom space in the completed Countway Library L1 renovation featuring a glass wall, arm chairs, and long tables.
New L1 classroom space