In January, the Helen B. Saunders House began a renovation process to restore the historic building and make sustainability upgrades.
The 132-year-old residence hall, which has not been operational since the pandemic, was selected as a priority project by President Eric Turner and Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer Andrew Maylor.
The discussion of renovations began in January, and work permits were approved in March and April with an estimated project duration of six months.
Resident students who were placed into Saunders for the 2024-2025 academic year are living in Hoag House until the Saunders renovations are completed.
It is anticipated that students will be approved to move into Saunders by the end of October.
The project includes the restoration of all major spaces inside the building, including updating the three largest bathrooms with new fixtures and countertops, updating the kitchen with new cabinets, countertops and appliances, moving the laundry machines from the basement to the first floor and adding a handicap lift, accessible bathroom and bedroom to the first floor.
Many exterior repairs are also being made to bring the house up to building code. Finishing touches include interior painting and patching, refreshing the ornamental woodwork, refinishing hardwood floors, replacing vinyl and carpeted areas, a new front door and new landscaping.
Sustainability is a large focus of the renovation, with a goal of creating a more energy efficient and comfortable living space.
The entire building is being reinsulated, the majority of the windows are being replaced and the lighting is being upgraded to more energy efficient LED lighting.
The heating system is being updated from a gas boiler to a new high efficiency heating and cooling system, making Saunders the first fully air conditioned Victorian style house on campus and saving an estimated 35-40% in energy consumption.
These renovations align with the university’s action plan that will reduce campus carbon emissions by 80% by 2025. The plan includes making changes within Dining Services, facilities, transportation, as well as waste and recycling.
Maylor said that the university goal of creating a more sustainable campus is an important one. It requires the university “To work together to protect our natural resources for both the present and future generations,” Maylor said.
The project is funded by the Lasell University capital plan, utility companies tied to energy efficiency improvements and the Saunders Foundation.
Saunders Foundation Trustee Coleman Casey said that the foundation was established under the will of Helen Saunders, who graduated from Lasell Junior College in 1917. It was activated in 1985 with the purpose of providing charitable gifts to whom the trustee chooses.
The foundation has made almost 40 consecutive yearly gifts to the university, some of which have previously gone towards Saunders House.
“Although the concept of sustainability was certainly not commonplace in her lifetime, as her trustee I understand the importance of preserving property and controlling its environmental impact so that future generations will have a healthy world in which to live,” Casey said.
Students, families and neighbors are invited to attend the grand opening of the house on Oct. 19 from 11-11:45 a.m. The event will include a tour of Saunders and a brief speaking program with remarks from President Turner, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and a trustee from the Saunders Foundation.
“Although Helen Saunders is not alive, I have every confidence that she would be very happy with the current state of the University and particularly happy that Saunders House has been renovated to continue its important role in providing suitable housing for students,” Casey said.
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