New Haven, CT— Petra Construction provided preconstruction and construction management services for the renovation and expansion of a historic academic building in New Haven’ s Hillhouse Avenue Historic District. Built in the 1860s, the three-story Italianate structure was transformed into a modern, accessible academic facility. Christopher Williams Architects served as architect.

The 11,250sf main building underwent a full renovation, including the removal of 2,650sf and the addition of 8,500sf. New HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems were incorporated while preserving the historic character of the Victorian-era structure. Designed to

Photos by Robert A. Lisak

support LEED Gold certification standards and zero-carbon-ready infrastructure, the project balanced sustainability goals with historic preservation.

Working closely with the owner, design team, engineers, and specialty contractors, Petra coordinated the renovation and addition with a focus on sustainability, constructability, and the integration of modern building systems.

Cross-laminated timber was used in the building’ s new addition.

Connecting Old and New with Cross-Laminated Timber

One of the project’ s most distinctive elements was the use of cross-laminated timber( CLT) in the new addition. CLT is an engineered wood product created by layering wood panels at perpendicular

angles to form strong, lightweight structural components. The system provided structural and sustainability benefits while creating a contemporary material connection between the historic building and its addition.

The CLT panels were prefabricated off-site and delivered ready for installation, making accuracy during design and fabrication critical. Each panel had to correspond precisely with existing building conditions. Unlike conventional materials that can often be adjusted as construction progresses, prefabricated CLT components allow little margin for error once fabricated.

Extensive upfront coordination was essential to ensuring the panels integrated properly with both the existing structure and new construction. Minor field modifications were required to accommodate adjustments to mechanical equipment, which Petra coordinated and completed while maintaining the integrity of the installation.

Protecting an Exposed Structural Finish

Because the CLT panels were intended to remain exposed as part of the finished space, they served as both structural components and architectural finishes. Petra implemented measures to protect the wood from weather, moisture, dirt,

and damage throughout installation and subsequent construction activities.

Balancing Innovation, Sustainability, and Preservation

Precise documentation of existing conditions, early collaboration among the project team and fabricator, and careful planning for installation and protection helped identify potential conflicts before fabrication and reduce risk in the field. By combining modern construction techniques with the preservation of a 19th-century structure, the project demonstrates how historic academic buildings can be adapted for contemporary use while embracing new approaches to sustainable construction.