STORRS, Conn. — A new basketball court is in the works at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. The two-floor, 78,200-square-foot court will feature a new basketball Hall of Fame open to the public. Highlights of the Hall of Fame will include three men’s and eight women’s NCAA championship trophies.
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — Svigals + Partners, based in New Haven, Conn., recently celebrated the opening of the new Goodwin College Early Childhood Magnet School in September. The school was created for students in Goodwin College’s growing child study and early childhood education programs to use as a laboratory space, according to Dean Alan Kramer.
The new school is a 34,000-square-foot structure housing young PK-K students. Fusco, based in New Haven, was the general contractor for the project.
SEATTLE — A new study from the National Resources Defense Council recognizes universities that place focus on green practices in their athletic programs.
The Collegiate Game Changers study presents 10 case studies of universities that are leading the way to create more environmentally sustainable practices as well as green facilities. Among the universities recognized are The University of Washington and the $250 million renovation of the school’s Husky Stadium.
CHICAGO — Pelli Clark Pelli Architects, headquartered in New Haven, Conn., has recently been chosen to design the new McCormick Place Event Center (MPEC), which will host DePaul University’s men’s and women’s basketball games.
The $7.2 million design features a sweeping curved roof above transparent glass walls. The interior is designed in a bowl-like shape with surrounding seats located above the court. DePaul’s Blue Demons are to start playing in the 10,000-seat event center at the start of the 2016 basketball season.
Steven Kneski has been appointed as virtual design and construction modeler for Butz Family of Companies, which consists of Alvin H. Butz Inc., Alexander Building Construction Co, and Shoemaker Construction Co. As the new virtual design and construction modeler, Kneskie will be responsible for using Building Information Modeling (BIM) and other technologies in order to provide detailed renderings for prospective clients.
Jason Lembke, AIA, LEED, AP, has joined the DLR Group to elevate the firm’s expertise in K-12 design. Form DLR Group’s Chicago office, Lembke will be responsible for design, programming, planning and project administration for Illinois school districts as well as K-12 clients throughout the Midwest. Lembke brings with him 14 years of experience in planning, programming and design of new school construction, facility modernization and renovation.
Acuity Brands Inc. has recently extended its line of P Series LED Downlighting Modules from Lithonia Lighting. The series features 4-inch, 5-inch and 6-inch LED modules that deliver an expected life of 46 years. Designed to fit almost any manufacturer’s recessed can-style housings for no-hassle retrofitting, the LED modules have the ability to connect up to 60 units on a 600-watt dimmer, verses comparable LED downlighting models that only connect eight units. The new series can be used in educational facilities for increased efficiency.
Georgia-Pacific Gypsum, with 25 years of experience in providing quality commercial roofing, has introduced the Enhanced DensDeck Prime Roof Boards. The product is mold resistant to provide compatibility and greater performance with roofing adhesives, according to the company. Enhanced DensDeck Prime demonstrated an average of 24 percent better bond strength than the original product when using solvent-based adhesives.
BALTIMORE — The University of Maryland, Baltimore recently broke ground on a $305 million, 10-story biomedical research facility. At nearly 430,000 square feet, the Health Sciences Facility (HSF) III will be the largest building in the history of the university.
NEWTOWN, Conn. — Tragedies such as Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, have parents and administrators across the country clamoring for solutions to make schools more secure. Doors and windows – more specifically, the glass — are under significant scrutiny.
For extra security, laminated glass is an easy, cost-effective measure in protecting against forced entry and bullet resistance. Compared with traditional annealed or tempered glass, laminated glass can secure the building more effectively.
