Chapel Haven

the story

SLAM provided the design of the new 4-story, 32,500-SF REACH Building, the first phase of the Chapel Haven campus expansion. This facility accommodates Chapel Haven’s residential educational program for adults with cognitive disabilities. The residents have specialized cognitive and spacial requirements, including light sensitivity, acoustics, material durability, way-finding, and communal areas. Chapel Haven serves adults of varying abilities, empowering them to live independent and self-determined lives.

at-a-glance

TYPE:

New Dormitory & Classrooms

PRACTICE:

Architecture

Construction Management

Design Build

Interior Design

Landscape Architecture

Pre-Construction Services

Programming & Planning

Structural Engineering

LOCATION:

New Haven, CT

STATUS:

Completed 2018

SIZE:

32,500 SF

INSIGHT

Chapel Haven’s facilities were dated and not reflective of their world class programming. They were the recipients of a grant to upgrade the New Haven neighborhood campus. The challenge was the need of a master plan, approvals, building design and construction start date within a very limited time frame.

Transforming the Design Build Industry

The strongest partnerships are built from trust, teamwork and transparency. SLAM’s integrated services at Chapel Haven tell the story of transforming not only buildings but the people who use them.

SOLUTION

Chapel Haven was in need of a master plan, zoning approvals, building design and a construction start date. IT was needed within a very limited time frame. SLAM’s integrated design and construction team worked closely with the owner to expedite the process to get a shovel in the ground within 4 months and complete construction within a year. In addition to meeting the required deadlines, the construction team worked closely with the designers to specify methods and materials as to allow for a fast track building process.

SLAM provided master planning for the campus’s expansion. This included flipping the campus around to organize it around campus open space and not vehicular circulation.

SLAM’s integrated design and construction team worked closely to meet the fast-track schedule.

Materials were selected early in the process with the design team to aid the expedited schedule. This process included prefabricated wall panels.

IMPACT

The Chapel Haven campus expansion and REACH building project has strengthened the community relationship and integrated within the neighborhood physically. The newly sited facilities define the neighborhood street facade and create communal space within the campus, having both an internal and external impact. The new buildings and programming successfully extend out into the urban context through massing, programming and future employment.

Enrollment, historically, 50% of every adult accepted chose Chapel Haven. Since this new building, 100% of every person we offered admissions to has accepted.

Michael Storz

President, Chapel Haven