Summary The Delta Zeta (DZ) sorority at the University of Alabama

 Summary
The Delta Zeta (DZ) sorority at the University of Alabama was founded in 1922 with a founding
chapter of only 11 members. Their original house was built several years later. It has since
grown into one of the largest sororities at the University of Alabama with over 290 members. In
1961, the chapter constructed its current house, located at 900 Magnolia Avenue in the heart of
sorority row. Over the last 10 years, as the enrollment increased rapidly at the University of
Alabama, so has the number of women in the Greek community. One of the biggest
considerations of parents and sorority candidates is the quality and safety of the chapter house.
Sorority houses at the University of Alabama are constantly making changes and improvements
to their houses in order to recruit and appeal to each incoming fall class.
In the spring of 2010, Delta Zeta contracted WAR Construction, Inc. to install a fire sprinkler
system throughout their house. WAR had installed several sprinkler systems in local sorority
houses since the 2008 code adoption. During the course of this project, WAR developed a
relationship with the DZ house board and they approached WAR about helping design a Master
Plan to upgrade and expand the chapter house.
That fall, WAR and Delta Zeta began a design build project that would ultimately be completed
in phases. We developed a team (including board members and parents) that created a master
plan to meet the growth goals of the house corporation. At that time, we had completed projects
in all but two of the 14 houses on sorority row, so we incorporated features that had worked well
in other sorority houses, into this project. Since all major work had to be performed when the
girls were not in residence, the project was broken down into phases. The first phase (summer
2011) was a complete renovation of the first floor. The second phase (spring 2012) included the
addition of an elevator shaft to the exterior of the building. To complete the renovation, the third
phase (summer 2012) completely remodeled the 2nd, 3rd, and basement floors.
This project merits a Build Alabama Award because it contains the following elements:
1. All work was completed without interruption of the daily activities of the sorority house.
2. Completed the project under budget without any change orders.
3. Completed all phases on a land locked space with minimal area for storage or parking.
4. Brought the house to full compliance with ADA and University standards.
5. Used innovative green technologies to make the house more efficient for years to come.
Meeting the Challenge of a Difficult Job
The renovation of this house presented itself with many difficulties in all of the phases. These
included: limited and occupied work space, retrofitting to the existing structure and shell,
bringing an old house into compliance with current codes, and a 2 month on-site schedule for
each phase.
During the first phase, renovation of the first
floor, the 2nd and 3rd floors were sealed off so
none of the furniture or finishes would be
disturbed for the residents that would return the
following school year. During this phase, the
University of Alabama was also updating utility
lines and repaving the road in front of the
house. For the first two weeks of the project,
there was room for a few essential work trucks
in the Delta Zeta driveway, but then those
spaces were eliminated when we began
installing a 2,500 gallon grease trap under the
drive.
The second phase of the project was installing
an elevator shaft. Although this was the
smallest of the three phases, it was the one
phase that had to be completed while the
house was occupied during the spring
semester. That only meant one thing: an even
tighter space with students and vehicles all
around. WAR barricaded off an area just large
enough for scaffolding, materials, and a
cement mixer to fit within and confined
ourselves to building the entire shaft within that
space.
The third and largest phase, had the most materials and subcontractors onsite and within the
given, limited space. So much demolition occurred that the driveway was made into the
designated dump truck area,
which further took away from
parking. The limited number
of parking spaces in front of
the building meant most
subcontractors had to park
their vehicles offsite and either
walk or catch a University
provided shuttle to the site. All
of the windows on the house
were replaced along with all
new interior partitions and
materials. All of these had to
be stored in the house once
they were delivered, meaning
most contractors had to finish
a section of work at a time.
Another challenge in each phase was retrofitting new structures and materials to the existing
structure and shell of the building. In phase one of the project, many of the existing interior
partitions remained in place, but had completely new door openings, window openings, finishes,
etc. installed. All of the interior walls
on the first floor were made of
terracotta masonry units, which were
extremely difficult to make new
openings in. It was important to both
Delta Zeta and WAR to keep all the old
plaster crown moldings throughout the
first floor. In the main living room, we
installed a custom millwork
entertainment center which also hid
new ductwork. In order to do this, part
of the crown moldings in that area had
to be removed. Several different architectural millwork firms were consulted to determine if a
match could be made of wood but no one could promise an exact match. After much research,
WAR contracted a small company from North Carolina that guaranteed they could replicate an
exact match out of plaster. They spent two full weeks on a single 20 foot strip of crown molding,
but once complete, the molding matched perfectly.
During the second phase of construction, the brick and
shape of the elevator shaft were the big concerns. During
the design portion of this phase, drawings and renderings
were continuously reviewed, marked up and revised to
achieve the desired end-product: the appearance that the
elevator shaft had been a part of the original house.
Numerous brick samples were reviewed to ensure the
completed product would exactly match the existing
building. The entire shaft was built in 2 months.
Penetrations into the existing house were not made until
the phase three renovations began in order to prevent
disturbing the girls that lived in the house.
The third phase had the most new tie-in’s to the existing
structure. During the summer of 2012, the interiors of the
2nd and 3rd floors were completely gutted. All that was
remained untouched were exterior walls and a few load
bearing
walls in
the center
of each
floor.
From that point a completely new layout was
constructed to better meet the needs in the
existing space for the sorority. This phase of
the renovation included replacing everything
from the windows to the ductwork, studs and
sheetrock, HVAC units and millwork. This
reconfiguration had to maximize the available
space in the existing building.
All on-campus Greek housing has been encouraged
to become ADA accessible for students, guests and
alumni with disabilities. This project began by
bringing the house up to current fire code with the
sprinkler system. During the first phase of the
master plan, the main focus was adding two public
ADA restrooms to the first floor as well as a code
compliant ramp in the front of the house. The
second phase, the elevator shaft, was erected to
make the entire house ADA accessible. Without the
elevator, it would have been impossible to fully bring
the rest of the house up to code. In the third phase, the 2nd and 3rd floors were completely
renovated and retrofitted to be brought up to all current codes. The entire floors were gutted to
make installing all the new systems easier and to make the layout more functional and
appealing. ADA bedrooms and showers were also added to both of these floors.
Excellence in Project Management
This project was truly Design-Build from its inception. Once a master plan was in place, an
architect and engineers best suited for the scope of work were hired. All of the consultants
worked together as a team with the owner to make this dream come true. Countless hours
were spent on plan development and execution to ensure the final product would be exactly
what the owner hoped for. Throughout all of the phases of this project, WAR had one project
manager that was the main point of contact with the owner and consultants. He led three
different on-site superintendents (based on our current availability) through the phases.
Innovation in Construction Techniques or Materials
WAR Construction, Inc. used many innovative techniques and materials to
bring this old building back to life. One of the most innovative aspects of this
project, was the elevator installation. Since space was very limited on this
project, WAR contacted Otis Elevator Company about their new GEN2
Roomless Elevator and decided that this self-sufficient elevator that needed
neither a hydraulic pit nor an equipment room, would be best suited for this
project. This was the first roomless elevator that Otis installed in the state of
Alabama. Installers took several classes on the installation and function of this
new type of elevator. With little difficulty this elevator was installed and is a
daily functioning part of the Delta Zeta sorority house.
State of the Art Advancement
Another goal throughout the master plan was to make the
house not only appear new but to make it more efficient, as
well. All students at UA use their student ID card (ACT card)
as their identification throughout the university. Combining
this knowledge with cutting edge technology, each bedroom
on both the second and third floors is individually controlled
by card readers installed near the entry door. Each bedroom
is programmed to the cards for its residents. Once inside her
room, the residents’ ACT card must be in the card reader to
allow her to change the setting for the air conditioner, turn on
and off the lights and utilize the electrical outlets throughout
the room. Once the card is removed, the lights and outlets
will automatically turn off and the air conditioner will return to
the normal energy saving mode, which keeps the unit off
unless the temperature rises above or falls below a certain
set temperature. All the common rooms have motion
sensors for lighting to save energy when no one is in them.
The ACT card is also used in the security of accessing the house. All of the exterior doors are
also controlled by card reader access. Each member of Delta Zeta has their card programmed
into the system and must
“slide” their card to enter the
house. This method is a
much safer method of entry
because no one, except the
University of Alabama, has
the ability to copy these
cards, unlike traditional keys.
Additionally, each semester
(or as necessary), codes and
cards are updated so only
current members can access
the house.
Sensitivity to the Environment and Surroundings
Although most of the work in this renovation was
done to the interior of the building, WAR was
extremely cautious when impacting the outside
environment. The southwest corner of the building is
where the elevator shaft and ADA ramp were built.
WAR consulted landscape professionals and
University of Alabama horticultural professors on the
existing trees and shrubs in that area. This led to the
removal of one magnolia tree and redesigning the
layout of the green space that was disturbed. At the
end of the project, a new 16’ magnolia tree was
planted along with shrubs and small trees similar to those that had been there before. Many of
the materials that came out of the house during demolition were taken to a local recycling
center.
Contractor’s Contribution to the Community
WAR Construction, Inc. is involved at every level in our community. Our officers serve on local
civic, industry and governmental boards. We donate our services to the Hospice of West
Alabama in Tuscaloosa, as well as the YMCA. Our most recent work at the YMCA included
reworking the ceiling above the pool area. We donated gym lights at the Benjamin Barnes
YMCA basketball facility in order for tournaments and practice to continue at night. We are also
corporate sponsors for the American Heart Association, Boys and Girls Scouts and numerous
other agencies. Our employees are active in church, little league and other community based
organizations.