Construction Projects Take Flight at Universities Throughout the Country
NEWARK, Del. — As students relax and leave campus for the summer months, construction crews have been busy working on major projects at universities around the nation.
One major initiative is the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Laboratory project at the University of Delaware. The project is a 200,000-square-foot research and teaching facility that has been under construction since 2010 and will be completed in summer 2013.
“Science and engineering are two of the historic strengths of the University of Delaware and this was building on our strengths and encouraging interdisciplinary efforts within the science and engineering field,” said David Singleton, vice president of facility and auxiliary services at the University of Delaware.
The building will include teaching labs, research labs, a large clean-room facility, faculty office space and meeting space.
“Since the last new laboratory was built 20 years ago there’s been considerable growth in science and engineering. A particular emphasis here has been on encouraging collaborative efforts on the different disciplines within science and engineering,” said Singleton.
The cost of the project has not yet been disclosed to the public, but all funding is expected to come from donors and internal sources. The architect on the project is Baltimore-based Ayers Saint Gross and the construction manager is Whiting-Turner Contracting.
Construction throughout the school year differs slightly from summer construction. In addition to work that is noisier, underground utility work that could interrupt services to other buildings takes place when the campus is empty.
The exterior is nearly complete, so the primary focus is building the interiors. Currently, the laboratory fume hoods and benches are being placed in the building.
“When we started this in 2010, many of the students who were here at that point knew they wouldn’t be here long enough to have a class there. Now that we’re getting within a year of completion most of our students who are taking courses in science and engineering have a very good chance that they will have a class there. I think the anticipation has really grown,” said Singleton.
Projects in the West
Another large project comes from the University of Oregon, where the Global Scholars Hall (formerly East Campus Residence Hall) is slated for completion before the fall 2012 semester.
The residence hall will be home to 450 students who are immersed in global study and culture; such as students enrolled in the Robert D. Clarke Honors College, College Scholars, or the global scholars language programs in French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese or Mandarin.
Each of the residential communities will have its own purpose and will contribute to activities such as Campus United Nations, World Café, and international virtual summits.
The building will incorporate five classrooms, a resident scholar, a learning commons and librarian, a multipurpose performance room with an elevated stage, study rooms, the Fresh Marketcafé, and a presentation practice room.
Like the University of Oregon, the University of Hawaii at Hilo will be opening new doors in time for the fall semester. The $4 million state-of-the-art College Campus Store addition needs only a little more paint and furniture to be ready in time for the return of students.
The one-story addition to the Campus Center holds 8,500 square feet of apparel, computer, textbook and café areas, and is made to replace the existing bookstore. The center will be the primary outlet for selling school supplies, textbooks, school merchandise, snacks, computers and computer accessories.
“I think the store’s close proximity to the new Student Services Building, combined with the goods and services it offers will provide students with an added element of convenience,” said Jason Tanaka, College Campus Store manager in a statement. “That will enable them to get more of the things they need in the same, general area.”