Modernizing a student residence:

Mount Allison University Harper Hall Renovation

At Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, Harper Hall has long served as an important student residence at the heart of campus life. Through a comprehensive renovation led by Pomerleau, this five-storey residence was modernized to provide a safer, more energy-efficient and comfortable environment for the students who call it home.

The 4,280-m² renovation transformed the existing residence while respecting the operational realities of an active university campus. Harper Hall accommodates approximately 140 students and staff, and the project focused on upgrading the building’s systems, improving performance and renewing interior spaces to support student life for decades to come. 

Delivering a complex renovation on an active campus 

Renovating a student residence in a functioning university environment requires careful planning, coordination and communication. Pomerleau provided both pre-construction and construction services, including cost estimation, safety planning, quality management, scheduling and post-construction services. 

The team worked closely with the university and project stakeholders to coordinate logistics and minimize disruption to campus operations. The project was also delivered under a strict schedule, as the residence needed to be ready to welcome students in late August 2024. Also, working in an environment where students and staff are present demands strict safety measures and clear communication at every stage of construction. 

The renovation involved selective demolition, hazardous material abatement, and a complete modernization of interior spaces. Exterior site work and building envelope improvements were also carried out to improve the long-term durability and efficiency of the residence. 

Innovative solutions to accelerate construction 

Throughout the project, the team identified opportunities to improve efficiency and optimize construction sequencing. During the summer months, heavy rainfall created challenges for roofing work that was being carried out while construction activities continued below. 

To maintain the schedule, the team recommended switching from a peel-and-stick membrane to a torch-applied membrane roofing system. This adjustment improved construction sequencing and helped accelerate progress without compromising quality. 

Another key innovation emerged during the early review of construction drawings, when potential fire separation conflicts were identified within the building. “We needed to relocate the fire dampers, but this would have been a $1-million change order and would have added time to the schedule. We managed to solve this issue in the design phase, prior to construction,” explained project director Aswin Rajendran. “We used BIM and also reviewed the model for clashes.” 

This proactive approach avoided what could have been a costly design change and schedule delay, demonstrating the value of early collaboration between the project team and consultants. 

Leveraging digital tools to improve construction quality

Quality management played a central role in the success of the Harper Hall renovation. The project team implemented a structured system for tracking observations and deficiencies throughout construction. 

Using the Procore Observations module, site staff, subcontractors and consultants were able to log issues, assign corrective actions, and track progress in real time. This transparent process ensured that all stakeholders had visibility on outstanding items and allowed issues to be resolved quickly. 

The system significantly reduced the number of deficiencies by the time the project was completed. Final inspections were supported by detailed consultant reviews and area-specific lists, allowing subcontractors to address remaining items before final sign-off. Lessons learned from Harper Hall are now helping refine Pomerleau’s approach to quality management on future projects. 

Sustainable upgrades for a more efficient residence

Environmental performance was a key objective of the renovation. The project is targeting certification under the Three Green Globes standard, a recognized sustainability certification that evaluates a building’s environmental performance, energy efficiency and overall operational sustainability, reflecting Mount Allison University’s commitment to sustainability and responsible campus development. 

Hazardous materials abatement was conducted in accordance with Pomerleau’s environmental management plan and all applicable regulatory requirements. Improvements to the building envelope and mechanical systems also contribute to improved energy efficiency and long-term operational performance.

Technical expertise for institutional renovations 

The Harper Hall renovation demonstrates Pomerleau’s expertise in complex institutional projects, particularly within the post-secondary education sector. Working on an operational campus requires strong logistics planning, clear coordination with stakeholders, and strict safety protocols. 

The project also required commissioning expertise to integrate the residence’s building management system with the campus-wide mechanical, electrical and power systems. This ensured that Harper Hall operates seamlessly within the broader infrastructure of the university. 

Supporting student life in New Brunswick for generations to come

Harper Hall houses approximately 150 residents over five floors and includes a mix of single and double rooms designed to support student life in a vibrant campus environment. The renovation ensures that the residence will continue to serve the Mount Allison community while meeting modern expectations for comfort, safety and performance. 

Through close collaboration with the university and its partners, Pomerleau delivered a carefully coordinated renovation that modernizes the residence while preserving the role Harper Hall plays in campus life.