Shawmut, in partnership with Bergmeyer Associates and CSL Consulting, transformed Mount Holyoke College’s historic Blanchard Campus Center (1899) into a vibrant community center that included a 40,000-square-foot renovation and a 40,000-square-foot addition. Honored with American School & University’s award for Outstanding Design, the reimagined facility combines a variety of co-curricular, social, student services, and dining spaces in the center of campus.

Excerpt from American School & University

The complex combines three levels of historic Blanchard Hall and a new 1,000-seat dining center addition with state-of-the-art food service operations. The new addition takes full advantage of the site’s views of Lower Lake and across the campus greens, as well as views of the fresh food preparation in the open kitchens. Offering a variety of dining environments and culinary stations, the facility also can accommodate large alumnae and conference events and facilitate the evolution of campus traditions and cultural events.

Together with a variety of vibrant social activities, the new center serves a critical role in strengthening a sense of community and facilitating creative collisions. Through the team’s efforts, the centralization of dining services provides a positive and welcome change for Mount Holyoke’s future while also respecting its rich past.