Chadbourne Hall

Construction Schedule:
Phase One: January 2007 - August 2007
Phase Two: May 2009 - August 2010

Renovation of Chadbourne Hall Complete

In January 2007, University Housing embarked on the first of a three-phase series of renovations to Chadbourne Hall as the servery was overhauled and the new dining hall, Rheta’s, was created. Over three years later, the final phase of work on the residence hall was completed.

Residents in 2010-11 were the first to experience the entire slate of renovations. Highlights include the installation of three brand new elevators, air conditioning in every resident room, new kitchenettes and bathrooms allowing each floor to become coed, and completely renovated floor lounges.

View More Photos

Construction Overview

The goal of the renovation of Chadbourne Hall is to improve the central building core areas and resident rooms, in order to enhance the living experience. Priorities for the design include:

1. Integrate genders by wing rather than by floor.
2. Improve elevator service.
3. Improve lounge and study spaces on each floor level, and add a kitchenette on each floor.
4. Replace original resident room flooring, lighting, and furniture.
5. Replace single common bathroom with three on each floor.
6. Replace existing electrical, distribution, and heating system and add central air conditioning.
7. Comprehensively renovate the food service facilities.
8. Minimize construction disruption to continuing operations.

Chadbourne Phase One - Completed Fall 2007

• The first phase of this project (summer 2007) included the remodeling of all resident rooms. Although the rooms remained the same size, the existing furniture (original 1957 built-in) was removed and replaced.
• New room lighting and flooring was also included in the first phase of the project.
• A significant upgrade of current, again original, HVAC systems was completed. This added air conditioning in resident rooms.

Chadbourne Phase Two

The second phase of this project (Chadbourne Hall core renovations) is currently taking place. The core renovations include:

• replacement of elevators
• construction of three new common bathrooms on each floor
• improvements to the first floor and basement common areas
• air conditioning in common areas

Separation of Genders by Wing

In order to better accommodate the student demand for the Chadbourne Residential College (CRC), University Housing needs to make changes that will allow the separation of genders by wing rather than by floor. This change will better accommodate annual changes in the demographics of the students who select CRC. The existing bathroom configuration will be remodeled to support this concept and to conform to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Upgrade Elevators

The previous elevator system was considered inadequate by both residents and staff. The 11-story structure, currently housing approximately 690 students on floors 2–11, was served by just two elevator cars, each with a capacity of 2,500 pounds and a speed of 500 feet per minute (fpm). Although modernized by Schindler Elevator Company in 1999, the previous cars had inconveniently long trip times and suffered from frequent maintenance downtime. The elevator system was improved and relocated to create more common space.

Additional Quiet Study Spaces

Because the resident rooms themselves are relatively small, each with two occupants, common areas to congregate and study are considered a priority. The new design will add to each floor a space for quiet study, as well as a larger multipurpose space designed to accommodate floor meetings, informal gatherings and entertainment activities. A kitchen will also be added to floors 2-11.

Net Loss of Capacity in Chadbourne

These changes have both a space and a revenue impact. Each resident floor will lose ten beds (two triple occupancy rooms and two double occupancy rooms) to accommodate the addition and remodeling work. University Housing is willing to accept the loss of approximately 100 beds in Chadbourne as a condition of this project due to the overall importance of the improvements. The loss of capacity in Chadbourne was compensated by purchasing the Friedrick Center in 2008.

Serve Future Students and Faculty in Chadbourne Residential College

Chadbourne Residence Hall has been heavily used for almost fifty years. Improvement of resident rooms and the public spaces in the core of the building deserves careful attention in terms of appearance, function, and maintenance. By responding to needs and concerns expressed by residents with creative remodeling solutions, a modernized Chadbourne Hall will serve the Madison campus and the Chadbourne Residential College program for years to come.