Trent Beane, F&S project manager, earned a “Pat on the Back” for keeping a window replacement plan unblemished.

All 386 metal frame windows were replaced at Trelease Hall in summer 2022. The old ones were original to the building, constructed in 1964. New energy-efficient ones went in as a measure to enhance student experience. Nobody wants drafty windows, particularly in the cold or during rain.

Replacement started May 16 and final completion was due no later than August 5.

Beane’s leadership and collaboration helped the work get done on schedule and on budget with “rarely seen” work efficiency, according to Kelly Jo Hoffmann, F&S associate director of engineering services.

“ZERO requests for information, and ZERO change orders,” Hoffmann emphasized. “Air horns should be cued to celebrate Trent’s leadership of this team.”

Beane credits F&S capital programs; JLK, the consultants; Felmley-Dickerson Co., the contractors; F&S design reviewers, commissioning and inspecting, and construction services; and Melissa Marriott with University Housing.

The Key

A “unique” process change addressed the primary challenge: a compressed schedule.

Generally, the time between producing drawings and window delivery to the site is too long for work like this. After all, the 386 windows mark the most replaced by F&S in an existing building, according to Donna McClure, F&S architect.

Beane and team found a solution.

“The team came up with a solution to prepare and approve the shop drawings prior to the notice to proceed,” said Beane. “This is one example of many that helped meet a very aggressive time frame.”

“This was absolutely key,” said McClure. “This project represents a high level of cooperation both on the part of the design team as well as the construction team, and the contractors deserve their fair share of the credit.”

Many Specs

Positive outcomes are multi-fold.

“The windows were original to the building and not energy efficient,” said Beane. “Due to the age of the windows, a lot of air and moisture infiltration was occurring. This made for an uncomfortable living environment for the students. The moisture infiltration caused deterioration of the building envelope and maintenance issues for University Housing. This project eliminated all these issues. Handicap accessible rooms received accessible operating hardware to operate the new windows. UIUC is at the forefront of energy conservation and meeting the needs of the handicapped community and this is another successful example of this.”

“In 1964, non-thermally broken single-glazed windows were the norm,” said Donna McClure, an F&S architect. “Standards for window construction have changed a lot since then. A third-party testing company tested the new windows to hit nationally accepted standards for air and water leakage. Initial testing is done early in the installation of the windows to identify any minor changes that may be made to the installation to improve performance.”