Outside brickwork progressing quickly on new building

New Academic Research Center slated for October finish

April 20, 2009

Spring has arrived and, with it, more than 40 bricklayers. After pausing on exterior work for the winter months, workers are now covering the Academic & Research Center’s (ARC) rosy pink insulation board with Ohio University’s signature brickwork. As of mid-April, the eastern exterior wall was almost finished, and workers began installing decorative stone molding.

Construction remains on schedule with completion expected by Oct. 1, reported project manager Dick Planisek.

The ARC, designed by the architecture firm Burgess & Niple, will support integrated medical education and research by students and faculty from both the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Russ College of Engineering and Technology. Occupancy is expected by the beginning of winter quarter, 2010.

Inside, all drywall has been installed on the first floor and most of the second, providing visitors a clear visual outline of offices, classrooms and laboratories. Drywall work  will begin soon on the building’s third floor. All mechanical systems—including heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing and electrical wiring—have been installed.

In the first floor café space, workers are waiting on the arrival of a serving counter and various kitchen components. For the second floor laboratories, several of which will be named for OU-COM-related donors, cabinetry and laboratory benches are expected to arrive in May for installation and hook-up to plumbing and electricity.

Furniture is being selected by the Office of Design and Construction in cooperation with the user groups. Flexibility in furnishings is a very high priority, so the spaces can adapt to changing needs and teaching methods, Planisek said.

“We are also starting design work on the signage system, including the donor walls, which will give proper recognition to the many generous donors who have contributed to this project,” Planisek said.

Painting has begun on exposed steel support beams. According to Planisek, some of the structure’s steel support beams will be left exposed, along with some plumbing and air handling ductwork, to illustrate the building’s infrastructure and mechanical systems to engineering students.

Outside, an open, elevated walkway now connects the ARC to the Stocker Center West Green. Two additional closed, elevated bridges will be constructed to connect the building to Stocker Center and Irvine Hall, respectively.

Ohio University originally planned to register the ARC for certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, the recognized standard for measuring building sustainability. Although budgetary issues prevented such an attempt, Planisek said that aspects of the building’s design incorporate LEED standards for sustainable energy use.