Contact us

Higher Education

For more than a half century, Gillan & Hartmann, Inc. (G&H) has provided creative and cost effective engineering solutions. accumulating a wealth of experience in serving the needs of colleges and universities. Our work has included: mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection renovations nd upgrades; and energy conservation measures for classrooms, auditoriums, gymnasiums, laboratories, kitchens and dining halls, dormitories, and
libraries. he Firm’s experience in college/university design counts more than 315 major assignments, with construction costs in excess of at more than 30 colleges and universities. The Design Team has accumulated a wealth of information that is key to our continued success in serving the needs of the higher education community, with special qualifications/certifications including: LEED, Certified Energy Managers, Green Building
Engineers, and Certified Fire Protection Engineers.

Bloomsburg University – Hartline Science Center


Bloomsburg, PA
As Prime Professional, GRA conducted a comprehensive facility assessment/FMP for the Hartline Science Center. This three-phase project included review of the facility, review of laboratory needs and interviews with faculty and staff. GRA then conducted a feasibility study for the renovation of approximately 250,000 s.f. of new construction and renovation to the existing Science Center.
Phase I, 95,000 s.f. of renovation and new construction, was completed in 2017. Hartline’s east wing was demolished, and a new addition was constructed that connects the north and south wings. The new building includes new Biology and Chemistry laboratories, classrooms, lecture halls and office areas. A new pedestrian bridge was added to connect the new building to the main pedestrian walkway. The project also included relocation and upgrade to underground utilities, and creation of a green roof area. GRA provided full A/E services for this $36M project. GRA has also completed many other facility projects at Bloomsburg including infrastructure, site, and building upgrades, ADA upgrades and mechanical/electrical infrastructure improvements.

Additional projects at Bloomsburg University

  • Waller Administration Building – Fire Protection System Replacement and Upgrades
  • Columbia Hall Vertical/Horizontal Completion Renovation
  • Data Network and Telecommunications Services
  • McCormick Center Electrical System Upgrade
  • Lycoming Residence Hall Study and System Renovation
  • Schuylkill Residence Hall Study and System Renovation
  • Luzerne Commons Roof Study with Cost Analysis and Upgrades
  • Kehr Union Commons Roof Study with Cost Analysis and Upgrades
  • Science Commons Roof Study with Cost Analysis and Upgrades
  • Bakeless Center for the Humanities Roof Study
  • Instructional Media Services Emergency Generator
  • Columbia Hall New Emergency Generator
  • Buck Heating Facility Building Analysis
  • Campus Facilities Center Study

Lincoln University – Athletic Facility


Lincoln University, PA
Actively involved in Lincoln University projects for more than 14 years, GRA has completed a wide variety of renovation, replacement, new facility and planning projects across the University campus. Recently, the New General Campus Athletic Field was designed and constructed. Multiple phases included the new Stadium, New Track and Field Facilities, New Tennis Courts, New General Campus Parking and Circulation. The campus-wide Athletic Facility Design scope includes the following:

  • New Stadium
  • New Track
  • New Tennis Courts
  • Equipment Storage Building
  • Ticket Booths
  • Toilet Buildings
  • Team Offices
  • Scoreboards
  • Electrical Systems

Other projects at Lincoln University

  • Development of University-wide Capital Improvement Projects for MEP Systems/Infrastructure/ADA Upgrades/Fire Alarm Upgrades
  • Development of a New MEP/Fire Protection/Building Code Design Guide for new and renovation work at Lincoln University
  • Residence Halls Electrical Upgrades including Backup Generator
  • Mechanical Room Equipment Replacements
  • Interior Renovations – Campus Wide
  • Vail Hall Renovation (in progress)
  • Dickey Hall Façade Upgrades
  • Ware Center HVAC Infrastructure Upgrades
  • Grim Hall HVAC Upgrades
  • Azikiwe-Nkrumah Hall HVAC & Interior Room Upgrades
  • McCauley Hall HVAC Upgrades
  • Living Learning Center Renovations
  • Manuel Rivero Hall Pool Upgrades
  • Library Upgrades
  • ICC Auditorium Upgrades
  • Ware Center for the Fine Arts – MEP Renovations
  • Campus-wide Roof Replacements Phase 1
  • Campus-wide Roof Replacements Phase 2
  • Campus-wide Roof Replacements Phase 3
  • Campus-wide Security System Upgrades
  • ICC Electrical System Upgrades
  • ICC HVAC System Upgrades
  • Vail Hall Systems Upgrades
  • Lincoln Hall Renovations Phases 1 & 2
  • Campus-wide Electrical and Fire Water Study
  • Campus-wide Utilities Master Plan
  • Campus-wide Site Master Plan

Cheyney University – Richard Humphreys Hall


Cheyney, PA
GRA provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing/drainage and fire protection (MEP/FP) engineering design services for the renovation of the existing historic Richard Humphreys building. Originally built in 1904, Humphreys Hall contains 20,000 SF and was in deteriorating condition before the renovation commenced in 2011. Services included the conversion of the former dormitory to a state-of-the-art academic building housing instructional spaces, a computer lab, faculty offices, and student lounges. GRA’s services included the installation of new mechanical systems including rooftop equipment and VAV terminal boxes, new electrical service and power distribution systems, telecommunications, lighting and lighting controls, fire alarm and plumbing systems. A new pavilion was also added to the existing structure and GRA provided full MEP/FP engineering design services.

GRA has provided MEP/FP and energy engineering services to Cheyney University for more than 20 years

  • New Green/Wellness Center Science Center (refer to Cheyney for Sustainability for further details/information)
  • New Residence Hall (Energy Star Certified) Study and Design
  • Marcus Foster Student Union Renovation/Study
  • HVAC System Renovation
  • Campus-wide Domestic Hot Water Analysis
  • New Cold Water Booster Systems
  • Fine Arts HVAC Controls Renovation
  • New Science Center
  • Science Center Building Demolition Phase 1
  • Science Center Building Demolition Phase 2
  • Campus-wide Infrastructure Systems Renovations

University of Pennsylvania


Philadelphia, PA
GRA has completed more than 200 assignments at the University of Pennsylvania, involving mechanical, electrical, plumbing and drainage, and fire protection engineering design for the upgrade and renovation of facilities as well as the design of new facilities.

Additional kitchen and dining hall projects:

  • CRISP Hall Renovations (Kitchens, Dining Facilities, Phases I and II [1,500 meals/day])
  • English House/Kings Court – Dining Rooms (1,000 meals/day)
  • High Rise Towers – Food Services (Serving/Dishwashing Facilities, Phases I and II [1,500 meals/day])
  • New College House – New Dining Facility (800 meals/day)
  • Lauder Hall – New Kitchen/Serving/Dishwashing Facilities (800 meals/day)
  • Sansom Street – New Kitchen/Serving/Dishwashing Facilities (600 meals/day)
  • University Café – Dining Facility Renovation (800 meals/day)
  • McClelland Dining Facility – Dining Facilities Renovation (500 meals/day)
  • Houston Hall Dining Facility – Dining Facilities Renovation

Other GRA assignments at University of Pennsylvania

  • Chemistry Building
  • Van Pelt Library
  • College Hall
  • Bennett Hall
  • David Rittenhouse Laboratory
  • Steinberg Hall-Dietrich Hall
  • Annenberg School of Communication
  • Wharton School
  • University of Research of the Structure of Matter (LRSM)
  • Law School Library
  • Moore School of Engineering & Applied Sciences
  • Museum of Archeology and Anthropology
  • School of Nursing
  • Penn Children’s Center
  • Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine
  • Penn Veterinary Medicine School
  • Ryan Veterinary Hospital

Rowan University


Glassboro, NJ
As a national leader in student enrollment and the need for extensive services, a forward focus on capital investment has been placed on its campus to address long-range vision and planning to accommodate the selection process for students. GRA has worked with Rowan University on a number of facility upgrades and building renovations.

Additional projects at Rowan University:

  • Academic Quad Electrical System Evaluation and Site for Cogeneration Plant
  • Campus-Wide Building Assessments
  • Academic Building Electrical Distribution Upgrades
  • Campus-Wide Fire Alarm Upgrades
  • Campus-Wide Fire Protection Evaluations
  • Electrical System Upgrades
  • Fire Alarm Upgrades
  • Mechanical System Upgrades for Esby Gym
  • Mechanical System Upgrades for Robinson Hall
  • Campus-Wide Underground High Voltage Power System (UHP)
  • Campus-Wide Utility Infrastructure Assessment
  • Emergency Power for MDT Room Air Conditioning

West Chester University


West Chester, PA

The state-of-the-art student recreation center was designed to maximize both student wellness and environmental responsibility. Built over a two-story parking garage to maximize the building’s footprint, the center includes a rock-climbing wall, racquetball courts, a multi-court gymnasium, a suspended running track that circles the entire building, fitness and weight equipment areas, meditation areas, social lounge areas, regulation athletic offices and locker room facilities.
GRA was responsible for the design of Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Drainage, and Fire Protection systems for the new 72,875 s.f. Student Recreation Center at West Chester University.

Mechanical/Electrical projects at West Chester

  • West Chester Pump Room
  • Physical Plant HVAC System
  • Annual System and control review for a Building Management System (BMS) using Direct Digital Control (DDC) System
  • Geothermal System Support to re-design efficient heating and cooling
  • Underground Steam and Condensate System
  • ADA Access Site Plan Review
  • Old Library Fire Alarm System Replacement
  • Anderson/Boucher Fire Alarm Systems
  • Campus-Wide Energy Upgrades
  • Emergency Power System Evaluation/Utility Controls and Meters
  • New BMS System
  • Campus-Wide Network Cabling Infrastructure/Data Systems
  • Power System Review

GRA completed the following residence life Delivery/Initiative Quarterly contracts at:

  • Goshen, Tyson, Schmidt Halls
  • Commonwealth Residence Complex (includes multiple Dormitories)
  • Sanderson/South Campus
  • Residence Life Underground Domestic Water Systems Phases 1, Goshen, Tyson, Schmidt Halls (Dorms)
  • Residence Life Underground Domestic Water Systems Phase 2, Killinger, University, Commonwealth Hall
  • Residence Life Underground Electrical Engineering services for connectors campus-wide: Dormitories
  • Residence Life Underground Electrical Service to Tennis Training Laboratory
  • New Central Chiller System
  • Fire Pumps (qty 3) Dormitories

Additional Representative Projects:

  • Academy of Natural Sciences
  • Albright College
  • Cabrini University
  • Cedar Crest College
  • Community College of Allegheny County
  • Delaware County Community College
  • Delaware Valley College
  • DeSales University
  • Drexel University
  • East Stroudsburg University
  • Haverford College
  • Holy Family University
  • Immaculata University
  • LaSalle University
  • Lehigh University
  • Lincoln University
  • Lock Haven University
  • Montgomery County Community College
  • Ocean County College
  • Peirce College
  • Pennsylvania College of Optometry
  • Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Philadelphia University
  • Princeton Theological Seminary
  • Rowan University (Glassboro, West Deptford, Camden campuses)
  • Rutgers University
  • St. Joseph’s University