Millersville University
Dutcher Hall Building Addition
Originally constructed in the late 1800’s as an armory gymnasium, Millersville University’s Dutcher Hall currently serves as a theater for small performances, housing two separate theaters as well as administrative offices. Having limited emergency egress routes, and virtually non-existent handicapped accessibility, the building required upgrading in order to correct these and other known deficiencies. The University presented a program to add a set of ADA compliant public lavatories, an elevator, and stair tower.
Entech provided architectural services, further developing the program, creating the design of an addition to house the required elements, and incorporating other interior enhancements into the project. As a result, the entry areas were reconfigured for use as expanded lobbies during show intermissions, as a gallery during normal public hours, and as an improvisational practice area for students in the theater program. The accessibility and egress issues were resolved. The resulting layout not only provided increased functionality and flexibility for its users, but also provided them with a comfortable and pleasing environment for daily use, taking into consideration issues such as natural lighting and the relationship of the interior spaces to outdoor features.
Entech also provided mechanical and electrical services through a separate conditions assessment, of Dutcher Hall. The assessment concluded that the most appropriate approach was to upgrade the entire building HVAC system from simple electric heat to split system DX air conditioning systems with new electric heat radiation. In addition, the building’s exhaust systems were updated, the electrical system expanded, fire alarms added, and more appropriate lighting provided, again serving not only to improve the functionality and efficiency of the building’s systems, but providing a more user-friendly environment for building occupants.
