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Upton Hall. U.S. Army War College, Pennsylvania.

At this historic campus, military and civilian students jointly research, wargame and engage in discourse on political-military scenarios advancing their strategic leadership skills. A modernized Upton Hall is key to supporting the USAWC’s success.

Upton Hall is a 63,000 SF, three-story facility built in 1941 within the nation’s second oldest active military base. WRA completed space planning and design studies for new uses to fit into the historic structure. The report included incorporation of current requirements and different programmatic needs for the future of Upton Hall.

WRA performed a seismic refraction survey in addition to supplemental borings to evaluate the subsurface conditions and estimate the rock profile along the project corridor.  Design of the four project tunnels under CSX and local roadways was also performed.
Project Highlights

Architecture

To preserve the viability of the future of this landmark structure, new functional uses were accommodated while retaining the historic integrity of the architectural character.

Structural

Structural retrofits and upgrades for this historic steel framed and unreinforced masonry building were designed. Retrofits included new seismic bracing and wall ties, progressive collapse resisting attic transfer trusses, steel window blast load supports, and reframing library stacks.

Mechanical

LCCA was performed for two different baselines and three proposed mechanical systems. Other green building strategies included collection and reuse of rain water and air conditioning condensate.

Protective Design/Security

Structural strategies and architectural enhancements were developed to comply with blast resistance and progressive collapse requirements of UFC 04-010-01.

Mapping/GIS/Surveying

Topographic, utility and geotechnical stakeout surveys were provided. Survey control was based on a GPS survey tied to the South Zone Pennsylvania State Plane Coordinate System. Survey was processed In MicroStation to develop a DTM model and contours.