Shawmut Design and Construction recently opened its newest office on Elm Street in West Springfield, and the firm says its work in Western Massachusetts will focus primarily on the educational sector.

"Having worked for a number of years on educational projects in this part of the state, including Mount Holyoke College, Amherst College and Westfield State University, we couldn’t be more excited to finally take the next step and officially expand into West Springfield," CEO Tom Goemaat said in a statement. 

Shawmut was also recently awarded two academic sector projects: UMass Amherst’s Hampshire Dining Common and the new Greenfield High School. The Hampshire Dining Common, set to be completed in August, consists of a 46,000-square-foot renovation of the space centered around several food stations, as well as a new "back of  house" kitchen area. Greenfield High School construction is expected to begin in May and be completed prior to the 2015 school year.