Shippensburg University

Preservation Through Engineering

Shippensburg University’s Stewart Hall has stood since 1893. At three stories and 11,000 square feet, the Hall held too much potential to be prematurely demolished. Instead, the Hall was transformed into an events pavilion with additional office and meeting space. The building’s outdated HVAC systems needed to be brought to code compliance. Century oversaw the demolition of heating and ventilation spaces and upgrading of the systems while taking care to preserve the structure. A new energy management control system (EMCS) was installed to control the new HVAC equipment and distribution systems. Our team also designed new plumbing systems.

From Steam to STEM

The steam plant was built in 1950 and housed the coal processing facilities that supplied steam to the University campus. Even though the University no longer relies on steam power, Shippensburg decided to keep the unique structure and give it a new life as the new civil engineering classroom and lab building. While the building’s features– like utility tunnels, boilers, and coal bunkers– made for a successful steam plant, modifications were required before its new life as an education center.

Our creative and diligent engineers facilitated the transformation. The plant’s second floor was demolished and replaced with a concrete deck and steel beam system. This innovative design helps the floor handle the high live loads. Additionally, the new floor features a suspended walkway, hung from the steel framing that previously supported the coal bins.

Other work included the installation of a new elevator, infill of various floor openings, and support of new roof HVAC equipment. The coal supply hopper was demolished, and the tunnel was infilled, closing one chapter of the steam plant’s life and opening another.