Naropa University Nalanda Campus

Transforming an aging academic building into a modern, accessible, and creatively focused learning environment.

Saunders served as the construction manager/general contractor for the comprehensive renovation of a 16,120-square-foot, two-story building on Naropa University’s Nalanda Campus. The project modernized the facility from the ground up, creating updated academic, creative, and collaborative spaces that better support the university’s educational mission and campus community.

The renovation began with a complete interior demolition of existing laboratories, studios, classrooms, and office spaces, allowing the project team to reconfigure the building to meet current programmatic needs. New building systems were installed throughout the facility, including HVAC, electrical, fire suppression, and plumbing infrastructure, significantly improving performance, reliability, and occupant comfort.

A unique and highly specialized component of the project involved converting an existing storage area into seven acoustically independent recording rooms. These spaces were carefully designed to support the recording of high-quality symphonic music and other audio productions by minimizing sound transmission and eliminating the reverberation typically associated with conventional construction. The result is a professional-grade environment that supports creative expression, performance, and educational opportunities.

Accessibility improvements were also a major focus of the renovation. An existing freight elevator was removed and replaced with a new ADA-compliant passenger elevator, improving circulation throughout the building and ensuring access for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

To enhance the overall campus experience, new exterior glazing systems were installed in the café and kitchen areas. These improvements bring additional natural light into the building and provide views of the surrounding mountains, creating inviting spaces where students and staff can gather, relax, and connect between classes.

The result is a thoughtfully modernized academic facility that combines upgraded infrastructure, specialized creative spaces, enhanced accessibility, and improved occupant experience, providing Naropa University with a flexible and inspiring environment for learning, collaboration, and artistic exploration.