Bridgeport Archives - School Construction News https://schoolconstructionnews.com Design - Construction - Operations Mon, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.7.11 Five Education Construction Projects to Watch in 2016 https://schoolconstructionnews.com/2016/03/30/five-education-construction-projects-watch-in-2016/ For many schools and universities, upgrade projects and new construction never cease. While innovative and notable projects are continually taking place throughout the country, School Construction News has selected five projects in particular to follow in 2016, checking in throughout the year to update readers on important design and construction milestones from groundbreaking ceremonies to grand openings. Read on to learn more about the 2016 projects to watch.

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For many schools and universities, upgrade projects and new construction never cease. While innovative and notable projects are continually taking place throughout the country, School Construction News has selected five projects in particular to follow in 2016, checking in throughout the year to update readers on important design and construction milestones from groundbreaking ceremonies to grand openings. Read on to learn more about the 2016 projects to watch.

Project Name: Woodman Family Community and Performance Center
Location: Providence, R.I.
Cost: $27 million (including various campus upgrades)
Start Date: June 2015
Estimated Completion Date: Late 2016
Mission: The facility will serve as the hub of academic, artistic, social and spiritual life for the Moses Brown School campus.
Project Team: DEC Consulting Company LLC (Owner’s Representative); Durkee, Brown, Viveiros & Werenfels (Architect); Shawmut Design & Construction (Construction Manager); Theatre Project Consultants (Theatre Consultant); Odeh Engineers Inc. (Structural Engineer)
Highlights
• The more than 25,000-square-foot performance and assembly facility will replace the school’s 150-year-old Alumni Hall.
• The multi-use facility will feature a main hall capable of holding 540 people for musical theater performances, exhibitions, workshops and many other school and community activities.
• The project will include a renovation to the existing Walter Jones Library, adding a learning and resource center and an archive storage and research facility to house 230 years’ worth of artifacts, books, documents and photos collected by the school.

Project Name: Innovate ABQ Campus at the University of New Mexico
Location: Albuquerque, N.M.
Cost: $35 million (Phase I)
Start Date: Summer 2016
Estimated Completion Date: August 2017
Mission: The Innovate ABQ campus will provide high-tech research and development facilities for University of New Mexico programs as well as five floors of student housing.
Project Team: Signet Development, Goodman Realty Group and Deker/Perich/Sabatini (Project Development Team); Perkins + Will
(Master Planning Firm)
Highlights
• Innovate ABQ aims to create a multi-dimensional, integrated work, live, play community.
• Research and commercial labs, science and technology companies, educational programs, business services, support services, and commercial and retail businesses will share space with a business incubator.
• The 159,000-square-foot mixed-use building will include residential units for upperclassman, graduate-level students and UNM students enrolled in the Innovation Academy.

Project Name: University of Kentucky Research Building Two
Location: Lexington, Ky.
Cost: $265 million
Start Date: October 2015
Estimated Completion Date: Summer 2018
Mission: The facility will house scientific research that will work to resolve health disparities in Kentucky such as cancer, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and substance abuse, while also attracting world-class researchers to the campus.
Project Team: HGA Architects and Engineers (Lead Design Architect); Champlin Architecture (Executive Architect and Architect of Record); Jacobs Engineering Group, Affiliated Engineering Consultants, CMTA Engineering Consultant and THP Limited Inc. (Engineering Consultants); and Towers|Golde (Landscape Architect)
Highlights
• The 306,000-square-foot collaborative research center aims to provide a work environment where all users can intersect both formally and informally to collaboratively develop methods for chronic disease prevention and treatment.
• The building’s inviting, open lobby areas will foster interaction between researchers and community participants, visible stairwells will encourage physical activity and a café will serve healthy food.
• Thanks to an evolved workflow environment that differs from traditional secluded laboratories, wet lab researchers and data analysts will work together in an open space to tackle complex chronic diseases that require multiple specialties.

Project Name: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) Expansion
Location: New Bedford, Mass.
Cost: $55 million
Start Date: October 2015
Estimated Completion Date: 2017
Mission: The expanded School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) will result in a comprehensive marine science campus in New Bedford, which is one of top fishing ports in the country.
Project Team: BOND (Construction Manager); Ellenzweig (Architect); Hill International (Project Manager)
Highlights
• The facility will include a new 76,000-square-foot building with state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, high bay area and seawater research facility, as well as select renovations to the existing SMAST facility next door.
• Located on the former Naval Reserve Center, the new building will bring the school and the state Division of Marine fisheries together to engage in education, research and policy related to commercial fishing, coastal preservation, ocean observation and climate change.
• The project includes space for the Division of Marine Fisheries and dive gear program to be accommodated in both buildings.

Project Name: Kihei High School
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Cost: $130 million
Start Date: January 2016
Estimated Completion Date: 2018
Mission: The sustainable new high school will serve approximately 1,650 students in grades nine through 12, easing overcrowding in other nearby facilities.

Project Team: Group 70 International (Architect, Planner, and Civil Engineer)
Highlights
• When complete, the 215,000-square-foot Kihei High School will be the first net-zero high school in Hawaii and will be powered by clean and renewable energy sources
• The school will seek LEED Silver certification from the USGBC
• In addition to serving students, the new school’s gymnasium and a stadium will also serve as a community resource.

 

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Construction Progresses on Naugatuck Valley Health Sciences Building https://schoolconstructionnews.com/2015/12/03/construction-progresses-on-naugatuck-valley-health-sciences-building/ WATERBURY, Conn. — Work is currently underway to expand and revitalize Naugatuck Valley Community College’s (NVCC) Founders Hall in Waterbury. Upon completion, the hall will serve as the new home for the college’s Center for Health Sciences.

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WATERBURY, Conn. — Work is currently underway to expand and revitalize Naugatuck Valley Community College’s (NVCC) Founders Hall in Waterbury. Upon completion, the hall will serve as the new home for the college’s Center for Health Sciences. The $44 million project will include more than 85,000 square feet of comprehensive renovations and additions, creating a new facility to house a variety health sciences programs.

After its overhaul, Founder’s Hall will contain specialized nursing, emergency medical technician, diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, surgical technician, respiratory therapy and home care programs. Patient simulator labs, classrooms, faculty and administrative offices, computer labs, student study areas, a collaborative learning classroom, a lecture hall and a multipurpose room with seating for more than 300 will also be included. As well as NVCC students, the new and improved building will also serve nursing students from nearby Western Connecticut State University and the University of Connecticut-Waterbury campus.

Moser Pilon Nelson of Wethersfield, Conn., was selected to design the project in association with RCG Architects of Baltimore. The two firms were tasked with reinventing the existing Founders Hall, built in 1962, to meet modern educational needs and requirements. Along with educational improvements, this will also include integrating energy-efficient technology such as LED lighting. The building is designed to meet LEED Silver certification.

“The NVCC Center for Health Services will bring a sense of powerful completion to the east end of our Waterbury campus,” NVCC President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D., said in a statement. “NVCC’s Allied Health programs are outstanding and deserve the additional support and better space that the new building will provide.” De Filippis added that the project received the support of both Governor Dannel Malloy and the state legislature, signifying “faith in the good work we do at the college and the importance of allied health careers to our state and service region.”

The State Bond Commission approved a $39 million allocation for the project in January 2015. However, the project was first set in motion in 2008 as part of the state’s capital improvement plan. An initial $4.47 million bond was approved in August 2011. Project pre-design kicked off in early 2013, during which time the Moser Pilon Nelson team met with various stakeholders to determine the most effective design. The project’s official groundbreaking took place in April.

“This is all about investment in our future,” said Governor Malloy at the groundbreaking ceremony. “Founders Hall and its new iteration itself will represent real opportunities for people to brush up on their skillset, to get a new degree or a new certification in a field that is growing very, very rapidly.” The governor noted that community colleges in particular are important to Connecticut’s future because most graduates remain in the state, thus strengthening the workforce.

Construction is currently scheduled for completion in mid 2017. The Morganti Group of Danbury, Conn., is managing construction, while A/Z Corporation of North Stonington, Conn., is providing construction administration services.

 

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Cutting Edge Science Center Debuts at Lycoming College https://schoolconstructionnews.com/2015/10/14/cutting-edge-science-center-debuts-lycoming-college/ WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — The new 31,500-square-foot Lynn Science Center at Lycoming College in Williamsport is now open for classes.

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WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — The new 31,500-square-foot Lynn Science Center at Lycoming College in Williamsport is now open for classes. The three-story building, which connects to the existing Heim Science Building, is the first new academic facility built on the Lycoming College campus in 25 years, according to project designer BHDP Architecture of Columbus, Ohio.

The $8 million building provides state-of-the-art learning environments for current students and will be a helpful tool in future recruiting. A 35-foot domed planetarium serves as the facility’s focal point and features a modern digital projection system. Education and research will take place within the new astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology and physics classrooms and research laboratories, while group study spaces, an atrium, offices and support spaces are also included. A rain garden, completed in partnership with landscape architect Derck & Edson of Lititz, Pa., extends learning outdoors and provides a green space for students, faculty and visitors, according to a statement by BHDP Architecture.

“[The Lynn Science Center] has revolutionized what we do in the department of astronomy and physics,” said Dr. Christopher Kulp, associate professor of physics and astronomy at Lycoming College, in a statement. “Designed to facilitate collaboration, faculty can easily work with each other and students in the classroom and the lab. The flexibility of our new space ensures that we can use the latest teaching and research methods. We look forward to the exciting new opportunities that the Lynn Science Center will enable us to pursue.”

“It was a joy to work with Lycoming College on their new facility, which blends the architectural facade with Lycoming’s Georgian campus and integrates the newest technologies to advance STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) learning,” said Giancarlo Del Vita, design leader with BHDP and principal architect for the project, in a statement. “The building’s design is a physical testament to the college’s vision to provide a contextual, inviting, flexible and cutting-edge learning environment for current and prospective students. We are proud to have served this great university with such a rewarding project.”

The new interactive and multi-curricular facility will not only serve Lycoming’s students and faculty, but also benefit the greater Williamsport community as the college is developing learning and discovery programs in collaboration with the area’s school districts, according to a statement by the college.

Construction on the Lynn Science Center began in June 2014 and was completed earlier this fall. The center was named for the college’s Board Chair Peter Lynn, who together with wife Joyce Lynn made a substantial donation to the project.
 

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Ensuring a Successful Campus Construction Project https://schoolconstructionnews.com/2015/06/26/ensuring-successful-campus-construction-project/ A modern student center, a high-tech science wing, a classroom filled with natural light — these are the features that make each school or university campus distinctive.

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A modern student center, a high-tech science wing, a classroom filled with natural light — these are the features that make each school or university campus distinctive. Just as graduation is achieved through a long process of study and hard work, the facilities inhabiting a campus are the result of a long process of master planning, fundraising and construction.
Each phase of this process is accompanied by its own set of challenges, and construction creates many that are highly visible and impactful. When that first shovel hits the ground, it is incumbent upon school or university officials to ensure the project does not compromise the campus, detract from the student experience or deter prospective applicants.
But these challenges can be addressed. Successful campus building begins with a solid foundation of communication and camaraderie, scheduling and integration (not separation) between the school administration and construction team. Building a strong relationship with your construction manager or contractor can make all the difference.
Communication & Camaraderie
Having a builder on board that maintains fluid communication channels with your school is the most important feature of any campus project. Sharing an open-book process with your builder and staying invested in all the details ensures there are no surprises at any point for either party.
Be sure to select a builder you feel comfortable with and perceive as a good fit with the campus culture. Camaraderie within the project team is essential to facilitate an open dialogue where your institution’s needs and concerns are heard. Consistent daily check-ins, weekly meetings and site walks hosted by the project team are a great way to streamline essential information.
Recently completed by Beverly, Mass.-based Windover Construction, the Endicott College Callahan Center project in Beverly exemplifies how well-defined communication channels can easily trump construction challenges. A rehabilitation of an occupied building, the project encountered multiple unforeseen conditions that threatened to stall progress. Windover and the college successfully managed these obstacles through timely discussions of identified risks and action plans to resolve them. This allowed a project destined for delays to finish on time.
Just-In-Time Project Scheduling
Work with your builder to cultivate as much information as possible about your typical campus behavior, such as traffic patterns, pedestrian flow and occupancy. Having a builder understand your campus allows that builder to develop a meticulous schedule sequence that accommodates campus activities. Take the Callahan Center again as an example. As the sole campus dining facility, the Callahan Center had to stay open throughout construction to provide meal service. Windover carefully staged work so that one area was completed before moving onto the next. This allowed access to the facility despite construction wrapping around all exterior walls of the existing structure.
Similarly, Windover recently completed a lower school and dining addition at Brookwood School in Manchester, Mass., where construction wrapped around occupied classrooms. A just-in-time schedule allowed learning and activities such as student pickup or drop-off to continue uninterrupted despite the proximity to construction.
Use Your Imagination
You cannot ignore construction, so rather than making it the elephant on your campus, embrace it and encourage students to do the same. This change in perception harmonizes the relationship between “them” (the builders) and “you” (the school) and makes it about “us” sharing the experience.
At Brookwood, construction became a part of the students’ curricula. Students toured the construction site, interviewed the workers and created weekly video reports. At St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, Mass., where Windover is constructing a STREAM building and middle school, students are reinforcing their classroom learning by applying disciplines such as mathematics, environmental sciences and physics to the construction site.
The landscape for campus construction is clearly changing. It is not just about getting to the end product; it is about embarking on an enriching process that engages teamwork and planning. It’s about a partnership that makes the final result distinctly you.
Stuart Meurer is vice president of Windover Construction, a construction management firm headquartered in Beverly, Mass. The firm specializes in creating sophisticated commercial and institutional spaces and refined custom homes throughout New England. For additional information, call 978-526-9410, visit the company website at www.windover.com or email info@windover.com.

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Houghton College Completes Athletic Complex https://schoolconstructionnews.com/2014/10/16/houghton-college-completes-athletic-complex/ HOUGHTON, N.Y. — Houghton College officially dedicated the new $23 million Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 7.

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HOUGHTON, N.Y. — Houghton College officially dedicated the new $23 million Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 7. The complex was completed over three phases and includes both new and renovated spaces, enabling the Division III school to host year-round athletic events and training activities.

Houghton College students and student athletes can now enjoy a new 115,000-square-foot, 6,000-seat field house; five competition quality tennis courts; an eight-lane, 200-meter regulation size track; and new stadiums to support the school’s baseball and softball programs. The expansion also includes a new cardio fitness center, weight room and locker room facilities, as well as a commercial kitchen, concession area and office spaces.

Phase I of the project focused on the existing Burke Field, which received an artificial turf makeover. Phase II concentrated on construction of the baseball and softball stadiums, which were dedicated in the spring of 2013. The state-of-the-art field house was constructed during Phase III and took roughly a year to complete.

"Walking into this facility today I had to pinch myself, I could not believe I was in Allegany County. This is a game changer,” said State Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I-Olean) in a speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "We all know the rigors of competing in sports prepares our students for life, but when you couple that with education, that is what is going to change our future here.”

Kenneth R. Gay of Keystone Associates in Binghamton, N.Y. served as the project architect. Keystone Associates also conducted a feasibility study in early 2012 to select the complex site, which is adjacent to both Burke Field and the existing Alumni Athletic Complex. The firm began the design process in spring 2012 and construction on the facility in August 2013.

At the initial groundbreaking ceremony, Houghton College President Dr. Shirley Mullen noted that the impact of the new facility would reach beyond the school’s athletic department.

“The rest of the community and every student at Houghton will benefit,” Mullen said. “It will be a great facility to encourage wellness, physical fitness and the wholeness of personal development that is a hallmark of the Houghton experience.”

The Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex was made possible by a generous $12 million gift from the Kim (Kerr) and Terry Pegula family, which has long promoted and supported athletics across the spectrum. The family currently owns the National Hockey League Buffalo Sabres as well as the team’s American Hockey League affiliate the Rochester Americans. The Pegulas also made headlines in September 2014 when they placed the winning bid to purchase the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills.

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Sundt Selected for UC Santa Barbara Project https://schoolconstructionnews.com/2014/04/23/sundt-selected-uc-santa-barbara-project/ SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The University of California, Santa Barbara has selected Sundt Construction Inc. to build the school’s new $38.5 million Henley Hall Institute for Energy Efficiency. Sundt’s Irvine, Calif. location will serve as construction manager at risk for the 53,000-square-foot project.

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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The University of California, Santa Barbara has selected Sundt Construction Inc. to build the school’s new $38.5 million Henley Hall Institute for Energy Efficiency. Sundt’s Irvine, Calif. location will serve as construction manager at risk for the 53,000-square-foot project.

UC Santa Barbara’s Institute for Energy Efficiency is dedicated to researching and developing technological solutions for a sustainable energy future. Upon completion, the three-story Henley Hall building will provide a new home for the renowned institute, which was created in 2008. It will primarily include a 125-seat lecture hall, 17 laboratories, 34 faculty and postdoctoral offices, nine administrative offices and ample group office space. An estimated 50 faculty members and 120 graduate and postdoctoral students collaborating on energy-efficient technologies will occupy the new structure.
Designed to create prime research space and leading paradigms in energy efficiency, the new institute building will also feature adaptable laboratory space for evolving research needs. According to the school, the addition of this new structure will go a long way toward addressing the high priority, campus-wide need for more quality lab space. Though UCSB has made concerted efforts to upgrade and expand its facilities to match their academic goals, the school reports it is still significantly under-resourced in this area.
Along with increasing lab and research space, the new facility will also be a showcase of the schools’ commitment to environmental sustainability, and a strong reflection of the research being conducted within. According to a release by the university, the building will be as close to zero-net energy as possible, incorporating numerous state-of-the-art technologies and design features. The $38.5 million facility will include a variety of efficient systems and building materials, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) with low-voltage wiring, intelligent energy monitoring and control systems with interactive displays, and extensive natural lighting.

The Henley Hall Institute for Energy Efficiency will be named for 1966 UCSB grad Jeff Henley and his wife Judy, who contributed $50 million to the school’s capital campaign in 2012. Nearly $30 million of those funds will be dedicated to construction, and toward faculty recruitment for both the institute and the school’s College of Engineering.

University leaders named award-winning architectural firm Kieran Timberlake to design the Institute’s new home in August 2012. According to a release issued by the university, the firm was chosen through a highly selective review process by a team of Institute and UCSB faculty and staff. The team reviewed more than 30 proposals, met with nearly a dozen firms and visited some of the finalists’ buildings. Kieran Timberlake was ultimately selected for its experience with energy-efficient lab buildings, innovative design, and for the firm’s close client-architect design process. The San Francisco office of environmental design, engineering and consulting firm Atelier Ten also provided support and expertise.

Sundt, one of the country’s largest general contractors, has a strong track record in higher education construction. The company has completed multiple higher education builds, including the University of California, Merced’s Social Science and Management Building, and the University of California, Davis’ Veterinary Medicine 3B Building.

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Barnard College Selects SOM for New Campus Design https://schoolconstructionnews.com/2014/04/16/barnard-college-selects-som-new-campus-design/ NEW YORK — Barnard College has selected the architecture firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) to lead design of the schools new teaching and learning facility at its Morningside Heights campus. Upon completion, the new facility will house a 21st century library, as well as several state-of-the-art computational science and learning labs.

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NEW YORK — Barnard College has selected the architecture firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) to lead design of the schools new teaching and learning facility at its Morningside Heights campus. Upon completion, the new facility will house a 21st century library, as well as several state-of-the-art computational science and learning labs.
SOM, a New York City-based firm, also specializes in interior design, engineering and urban planning, and was selected following an extensive review process led by a 24-person steering committee. According to a release issued by SOM, the committee focused exclusively on firms that met three main criteria: a history of creative and innovative architecture; a proven track record on similar projects for academic institutions; and an internal commitment to women’s leadership reflected by women holding key roles in the firm. As Barnard was historically the only college in New York City, and one of few in the country, were women could receive the same level of education as their male counterparts, this third criterion was particularly important.
“We are thrilled to partner with SOM to develop this important new campus landmark,” said Barnard President Debora Spar. “It was crucial to find a firm that would work well with our community throughout the design and construction process, and SOM is the perfect choice. Barnard has a small campus and each building plays a vital role in our community. I am confident that this new building will have a transformative impact on our campus and move with us squarely into the future.”


“We feel privileged to be working with Barnard on this project,” said Roger Duffy, SOM’s Partner in Charge of Design for this project. “Through our design process and engagement with the community, we hope to capture the spirit of Barnard as an institution of higher learning and to create a building that both reflects that spirit and gives it space to thrive. We…look forward to collaborating with a diverse group of the Barnard community as we move forward with the design process.”


With selection complete, Barnard will now begin the process of envisioning and mapping the elements of this innovative new building which is also likely to include new homes for selected academic departments; conference facilities; a café and dining space; group study spaces; and state-of-the-art classrooms.

As the building development process continues, members of the Barnard community will meet periodically in subcommittees to focus on the fundamental elements of this project as it moves to the design phase and beyond.

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New UMSL Rec Center Packed With Amenities https://schoolconstructionnews.com/2014/04/03/new-umsl-rec-center-packed-amenities/ ST. LOUIS — Though rainy weather impacted the November 2013 groundbreaking of the new Recreation and Wellness Center at the University of Missouri St. Louis (UMSL), the area’s harsh winter weather has not disrupted the facility’s overall construction schedule.

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ST. LOUIS — Though rainy weather impacted the November 2013 groundbreaking of the new Recreation and Wellness Center at the University of Missouri St. Louis (UMSL), the area’s harsh winter weather has not disrupted the facility’s overall construction schedule. Since building began in December 2013, the project has remained on track for a fall 2015 completion and opening.

Larry Coffin, assistant director of athletics, recreational and intramural sports, told the UMSL Daily in March, “We are in the construction phase now and everything we plan is exponentially more than exists on campus today. It’s going to rival anything in the community.”

The Recreation and Wellness Center was spearheaded by the UMSL student body, and will reflect the needs and interests of the school’s growing community. Inside the angular, multi-tiered facility, students will find a three-lane inclined jogging track, a three-court gymnasium, locker rooms and multiple group fitness rooms for classes such as yoga and martial arts. Weight training and cardio centers will also be included, as will a climbing and bouldering wall, zip line, and a six-lane fitness and recreational swimming pool.

UMSL students have been very involved in the planning process for the new Recreation and Wellness Center, and groups of faculty and students have visited neighboring facilities to generate design ideas. The students voted in 2012 to fund the project through a more than $19 increase in per credit fees. All enrolled students will be free to use the new facility, though faculty and staff will be required to pay membership fees. At the groundbreaking ceremony, UMSL Chancellor Tom George specifically thanked the students who voted to finance the center and acknowledged the role each played in enhancing campus life for future students.

Dean of Students Miriam Roccia, who also participated in the idea-generating facility visits, told the USML Daily, “We are designing a building that will be here for a long time. It will operate 16 to 18 hours a day and provide great opportunities for student recreation, fitness and employment.”

The facility was planned by Cannon Design of St. Louis, which previously worked with the university system on the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at the University of Missouri Rolla. River City Construction LLC of East Peoria, Ill., is serving as the project’s general contractor. The firm has also constructed a variety of facilities at the university’s Columbia campus.

The $36 million building is being constructed on the site of two former parking lots just south of the school’s existing Millennium Student Center on the North Campus. The roughly 100,000-square-foot structure is designed to meet LEED Silver certification requirements. Those interested in following the construction of this new facility can view a live stream here.

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YGH-Designed Facility Earns Masonry Award https://schoolconstructionnews.com/2014/03/27/ygh-designed-facility-earns-masonry-award/ BEND, Ore. — The Central Oregon Community College (COCC) Health Careers Center, designed by Yost Grube Hall Architecture (YGH) of Portland, recently received a Hammurabi Award from the Masonry and Ceramic Tile Institute of Oregon. The award was first given in 1971, and recognizes architects and contractors for design excellence in the use of masonry.

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BEND, Ore. — The Central Oregon Community College (COCC) Health Careers Center, designed by Yost Grube Hall Architecture (YGH) of Portland, recently received a Hammurabi Award from the Masonry and Ceramic Tile Institute of Oregon. The award was first given in 1971, and recognizes architects and contractors for design excellence in the use of masonry.
According to a release issued by YGH, the COCC Health Careers Center marks the first prominent use of masonry on a college campus whose buildings consisted primarily of exposed wood and concrete. The design team’s thoughtful selection of materials, which feature a light grey brick to complement the light concrete tones of surrounding buildings, was integral to the project successfully fitting its high desert context. Other elements earning recognition from the award jury included masonry transitions from exterior to interior, horizontal-to-vertical joint juxtaposition and pattern, daylight shadowing and night lighting.
In addition to the interplay of color and texture provided by the balance of wood, masonry, and concrete, the brick’s high thermal mass also contributes to improved building efficiency. The COCC Health Careers Center was certified EA Gold as a pilot project for the Earth Advantage Commercial program, which is similar to the LEED certification program, upon completion. The Health Careers Center joins the Jungers Culinary Center and Science Building as COCC facilities designed by YGH that have received awards for design.

Demand for health services education has increased substantially in recent years, and the school’s health careers programs have roughly doubled in size to keep pace. This boom eventually necessitated the construction of the modern Health Careers Center to consolidate health-related programs. Today, the facility, which was completed in 2012, includes state-of-the-art simulation labs and classrooms, helping future health care professionals train for real world challenges.

As the three-story facility regularly hosts events such as massage therapy and dental clinics, the building is also welcoming and easy to navigate, keeping the majority of visitor-trafficked areas on the ground floor. Meanwhile, the second floor contains multiple seminar spaces and faculty offices, while the nursing program comprises most of the top floor.

The Health Careers Center also serves as a helpful physical link between the upper and lower campus. The steel-frame structure features a compact footprint, and an elevator and walkway have helped expand wheel chair and ADA accessibility. Previously students requiring ADA accommodations could only reach the steep upper campus area via an organized shuttle service.

The 45,000-square-foot project was completed in association with Pinnacle Architecture, based in Bend. HSW Builders, also of Bend, served as the project’s lead contractor.

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Prairie View A&M Breaks Ground on Ag Business Building https://schoolconstructionnews.com/2014/03/11/prairie-view-m-breaks-ground-on-ag-business-building/ PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas — Construction has begun on the new Agriculture & Business Multipurpose Classroom Building at Prairie View A&M University. Plans were finalized in August 2013, and crews broke ground on the 96,000-square-foot facility shortly after the New Year.

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PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas — Construction has begun on the new Agriculture & Business Multipurpose Classroom Building at Prairie View A&M University. Plans were finalized in August 2013, and crews broke ground on the 96,000-square-foot facility shortly after the New Year.

San Antonio-based architecture firm Overland Partners designed the new facility, which will house the university’s College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, as well as the College of Business. The state-of-the-art, L-shaped structure is designed to fulfill future educational needs and serve as a pivotal recruiting tool for both departments.

“In order to unlock the embedded potential of this project, it was crucial that we successfully execute three major design objectives during the planning process – specifically, to provide room for growth without making the building seem ‘empty;’ to clearly express the unique identities of both colleges, while simultaneously creating an ‘owned by all’ atmosphere; and to actively connect the building with campus life outside the classroom,” said James Lancaster, project manager at Overland.

“We also aimed to tie the building to the university’s cultural heritage and personality, while creating an image that’s forward-looking and aspirational,” Lancaster added.

The four-story building’s first two levels will offer plenty of spaces for students to gather, study and socialize. According to a release issued by Overland Partners, these non-classroom areas will also utilize transparent building materials to blur the lines between the facility and its surrounding environment. As it will be located in the geographical heart of the campus, the new building will also provide a new central gathering spot for the student body.

Inside, the Agriculture & Business Multipurpose Classroom Building will include a high tech trading room with a stock ticker visible both inside and outside the building, a 400-seat auditorium, student lounge, agriculture teaching laboratories, meeting rooms and facility-wide wireless access. Meanwhile the upper floors will house the university’s Small Business Development Center and Center for International Business Education. The building will also be home to the campus’s first clock-bell tower, which will further position it as a hub for student life and activity.

“This building represents much more than academics to the university. Indeed it will further reinforce our mission of teaching, research and service. This project will offer cross-curriculum opportunities in new and exciting ways, both inside and outside the classroom,” said Prairie View A&M University president George C. Wright.

The project team also includes The Linbeck Group, which will serve as the general contractor, and interior design firm Studio 8 Architects. Ulrich Engineers, Clearly Zimmerman, JQ, 3P Engineers and Cude Engineering will contribute engineering expertise, while 4b Technology, Accessibilty Unlimited, Hughes Associates, JEAcoustics and Project Cost Resources will serve in various technical and design capacities. Coleman & Associates will be responsible for landscape architecture.

Construction on the new facility is slated for completion in time for the fall 2015 semester. Meanwhile the university has also broken ground on a new retail center project, which will include a supermarket, bowling alley and restaurant. Additional businesses such as a dry cleaner and salon may be added in the future.

The post Prairie View A&M Breaks Ground on Ag Business Building appeared first on School Construction News.

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