The Serra Hall project included simultaneous completion of work on four separate tenant improvement projects in areas of the existing Serra Hall building located in the center of the 180-acre University of San Diego (USD) campus.

The overall improvements encompassed approximately 10,000 sf. Complete interior renovation and space allocation improvements were made, as well as exterior window and roof replacement at the south end of Serra Hall was needed to modernize the facility and ensure safety.  These improvements all had to comply with the 16^th century Spanish Renaissance architectural style of the campus, modeled after the University of Alcalá de Henares near Madrid.

Serra Hall houses anthropology, sociology, psychological sciences, math and computer sciences and offices for graduate and undergraduate admissions, three computer labs, and a recent addition-- the David W. May American Indian Gallery. It is also home to The International Center which provides service to international students at USD. 

Implementing a construction manager at-risk (CM-R) model with an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) approach contract helped manage the fast-track project. This creative approach customized delivery and created a collaborative partnership in which all project members could work together in a team environment to achieve common goals and maximize project results. Utilizing IPD on this complex project helped harness the different specialties of key project stakeholders, increased value to the owner and optimized efficiency from preconstruction through project close-out.

The team prepared for renovation surprises. In most renovation projects, especially ones of this age, there are various unanticipated conditions, and the Serra Hall project was no different. When the team faced two unforeseen building challenges, all parties rose to meet the challenges ensuring quality and aesthetics without compromising the schedule.

All work was required to be completed within the scheduled 65-work days during the summer to assure it would be completed prior to the return of students after the summer break. The project was successfully completed on time and with cost savings to the owner.