Berklee College of Music

JDL was engaged by Berklee College of Music, National Development and AEW to fit out Berklee’s brand new dance studio at 699 Boylston Street. This project entailed partial demolition to make space for 3 brand new large studios, a beautiful reception area completed with built in benches and a wood slat ceiling, as well as a beautifully remodeled locker room with new restrooms, showers, lockers and prep stations. At JDL Corporate Interiors, Inc., we take pride in delivering projects on time and with precision, no matter the challenges. Our recent dance studio project at Berklee College of Music is a great example of how we stay on schedule while meeting unique design and construction needs. Here’s how we completed this 14-week project right on time:

Strategic Procurement Planning

The project schedule was built around the delivery and installation of specialized dance flooring. By sequencing the construction of each studio and coordinating closely with the flooring team, we ensured the flooring was installed seamlessly as each space was completed. Additionally, to prevent sound from disrupting other tenants in the building, we selected special acoustical doors. These doors had a long lead time, so we initially installed temporary doors to meet inspection requirements. Thanks to the dedication of our partners, NSA Doors and IAC Acoustics, the permanent doors were installed just in time—pulling an all-nighter to get everything ready before the final inspections.

Maximizing Budget and Schedule Efficiency

Procuring new fan coil units would have delayed the project, so we opted to reuse the existing units. This decision not only cut costs but also avoided potential procurement delays, ensuring the project stayed on track.

Proactive Coordination with Inspectors

Given the tight project timeline and the final inspection falling on a holiday weekend, we worked proactively with our subcontractors and the inspectional services department. By maintaining clear and consistent communication, we were able to secure the necessary approvals without impacting our schedule.

Overcoming Site Challenges

Constructing a dance studio with minimum height requirements in a basement presented its own set of challenges. The 3-inch thick dance flooring, combined with noise-mitigating ceiling hangers, significantly reduced the available height. However, through close collaboration with Avid Engineers and VCA, we successfully coordinated the placement of lighting, HVAC units, mechanical piping, and soffits to meet both height and design specifications.

Thanks to the expertise and hard work of our team, we were able to deliver a high-quality dance studio, fully meeting the client’s expectations—all within the original 14-week schedule. We look forward to applying the same level of care and efficiency to future projects.

JDL PROJECT TEAM:

Project Management: