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

Vassar College

Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts

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

Construction site with two buildings in various states of completion
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
The Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts: view from the hillside, a higher perspective to show the inn proportions

Project Description

work mark that reads: The Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts
Visit The Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts website

Nestled on the south side of the Alumnae House lawn at the campus gateway, The Vassar 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 hotel; 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

site logistic plan. use link to accessible pdf
Diagram: Site logistics plan. View larger

Sustainability Initiatives

Diagram: A cut-away of the Vassar Institute with labels for 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, Director of Project Management & Construction

Construction Manager

Consigli Construction

  • Mike Wood, Project Executive
  • Bill Mergl, Senior Project Manager
  • Shannon Cunningham, Project Manager
  • Steve Rauchendorfer, Project Superintendent 
  • John Cain, Project Engineer

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