UNH Philbrook Hall Dining Facility Kitchen

Durham NH

In the summer of 2019, as Construction Manager, Charters Brothers executed a fast-paced Phase 2 of a kitchen renovation at the University of New Hampshire’s Philbrook Dining Hall. The project involved the complete removal and replacement of the existing kitchen slab and degraded under slab plumbing, temporary shoring of existing foundations, new MEP infrastructure to support a complete re-programming of the kitchen operations with all new kitchen equipment, and all new finishes including specialty kitchen grade acoustical ceilings and epoxy flooring.

The project was required to be completed within the 14 week summer break so that the University could ensure that the kitchen would be operational to serve the students, faculty and staff for the start of the fall semester. Charters Brothers team achieved substantial completion on August 16th, including startup and commissioning of all new equipment and systems, giving the kitchen staff sufficient time to stock and test the new kitchen prior to the start of the semester.

The successful execution demonstrated the best of what the construction management delivery method can provide, with months of planning, extensive vetting of design documents, proactive procurement strategies, and a responsible budget which accounted for potential unforeseen conditions, therefore allowing the team to solve the project challenges efficiently in real time.