Skip to content Skip to navigation
Vassar
Skip to global navigation Menu
Facilities Operations

Vassar College

Capital Projects

Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts

Construction Alerts

The entrance from College Ave to Alumnae House is currently closed to accommodate construction activities. The Fulton Ave entrance is available to access the Alumnae House during the construction project. Read more.

Activity Overview

1/12/23
Happy New Year! Watch this time-lapse Vassar Institute Work Zone Cam video and see some photos from the work site.

Hours of work: 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on weekdays.
For concerns and inquiries about this project, please contact  instituteproject@vassar.edu or call (845) 790-9210.

Project Description | Site Logistics | Sustainability Initiatives | Project Team

image of work site with a video play button overlay
Watch this time-lapse Vassar Institute Work Zone Cam video and see some photos from the work site.
Rendering of the building approach
The Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts: walkway approach
Rendering of building from the side
The Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts from Raymond Avenue: glass floats in the canopy, reflecting nature
Rendering of building from the hillside nearby
Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts: view from the hillside, a higher perspective to show the inn proportions

Project Description

Visit The Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts website

Nestled on the south side of the Alumnae House lawn at the campus gateway, Vassar’s new Institute for the Liberal Arts will combine conference space with 50 guest rooms and a restaurant.

The design of the building preserves the domestic scale of the surrounding neighborhood by using three discrete elements: a three-story gable roof inn; a two-story Institute with a restaurant below; and a glass lobby to create the notion of a public living room.

The landscape design creates a welcoming approach with fully accessible pathways and highlights native plant species and on-site stormwater filtration.

Site Logistics

Diagram: Site logistics plan. View larger

Sustainability Initiatives

Diagram: A cut-away of the Vassar Institute listing sustainability features.
Diagram: a cut-away of the Vassar Institute listing sustainability features. View larger

Sustainability initiatives include:

  • Carbon-neutral building burning no fossil fuels
  • Geothermal, solar-thermal, solar-photovoltaic, and renewable electricity
  • Day-lit spaces and LED energy-efficient lighting
  • Stormwater filtration basins to reduce pollutant runoff
  • Landscaping and vegetation supports pollinators and stormwater uptake
  • Innovative approaches such as low-carbon, recycled-contents brick used in construction

Read more on the Sustainability website.

Project Team

Vassar College

  • Bryan Swarthout, Vice President for Finance and Administration
  • Marianne H. Begemann, Dean of Strategic Planning and Academic Resources
  • Maryann Pilon, Senior Project Manager

Construction Manager

Consigli Construction

  • Scott Cruikshank, Project Executive
  • Bill Mergl, Senior Project Manager
  • Steve Rauchendorfer, Project Superintendent 
  • Shannon Cunningham, Assistant Project Manager

Architect

Frederick Fisher and Partners

  • David Ross, Partner in Charge
  • Matt Kelley, Partner, Design Lead
  • Dale Suttle, Project Manager
  • Christina Kwak, Project Architect
  • Adelaide Mackintosh, Designer 

The Olympia Companies—Hotel & Restaurant

  • Sara Masterson, President, Hotel Management
  • Mike Zimmerman, President, Development