LOCAL NEWS | Yale University, Farnam Memorial Building Laboratory Renovation Recognized by CBC

The Connecticut Building Congress (CBC) honored the Yale University, Farnam Memorial Building Laboratory Renovation and Infrastructure Upgrade project team with a Merit Award at the Thirtieth Annual Project Team Awards Banquet and Scholarship Award Benefit on June 9. The project was recognized in the Large Higher Education, New or Renovations category.

The Farnam Memorial Building fourth floor renovation transformed 9,000 square feet into advanced research laboratories while upgrading critical mechanical systems serving occupied facilities. Success relied on close collaboration among the construction team, trade partners, designers, and facility staff to deliver complex systems within a constrained environment. Through BIM coordination, detailed planning, and proactive communication, the team resolved tight routing challenges, phased rooftop work, and maintained uninterrupted operations. A flexible, solutions-driven approach enabled quick adaptation to challenges and scope changes, resulting in completion more than a month ahead of schedule and under budget.

The exterior wall renovation work included replacement of the existing windows with new thermally broken aluminum windows and application of closed-cell spray polyurethane foam insulation to the interior of the existing masonry walls.

WJE designed and specified the replacement windows and provided enclosure consulting services for the exterior wall assembly, including hygrothermal analysis and corresponding recommendations. During construction, we coordinated with the design and construction team to respond to concealed conditions that included distressed exterior wall components and variations in rough opening geometry.

Associate Principal Sarah Sinusas, an engineer in our New Haven office, served as the project manager.