Catholic University of America Garvey Hall

Garvey Hall

Washington, D.C.

Garvey Hall at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. is a 34,823-square-foot, LEED®-targeted dining facility with 443 seats, built into a hillside with dual ground-level access. The project involved demolishing an existing dormitory, relocating utilities and roadways, and constructing a steel-framed structure with a refined stone façade. One of the most complex challenges was installing precast arches in 10–12 heavy segments due to weight constraints. The team used cardboard templates and forklifts to align each piece precisely with structural steel supports. Another challenge was coordinating work on the high-vaulted ceiling, where only one trade could access the 35-foot height at a time due to slab weight limits, requiring meticulous sequencing among MEP and drywall teams. Additionally, unforeseen substrate issues and supply chain delays forced the team to resequence the stone façade installation, working elevation by elevation to maintain progress. Despite these hurdles, the project was completed successfully through proactive planning and collaboration across all trades.