Featured Project
Carthage College
David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Natural and Social Sciences
Type
Higher Education
Size
105,000 SF
Architect
Stantec
Location
Kenosha, WI
Like learning, building should be a joy.
Learning should be fun. So should building new spaces for it. But from the high expectations of taxpayers and administrators to the dynamic needs of students and teachers, education construction can be stressful. So we created a step-by-step process that pre-visualizes issues, navigates challenges, encourages communication and collaboration, and delivers on budget when the bell rings.
GOALS
Like the proverbial challenge of building a plane while flying it, Carthage College wanted to conduct a major renovation and expansion of the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Natural and Social Sciences, while students and faculty were using it.
SOLUTIONS
We did our homework. Using our experience with hospitals and pharma, we met with the city of Kenosha to fully understand safety and other potential issues (later we learned we were the only company that took this extra step). We also walked into the presentation meeting with BIM modeling on mechanicals.
Then we showed a step-by-step process that detailed how we would work together to phase the project, building an envelope around the building, then phasing it out as work progressed.
RESULTS
There were those who doubted it could be done. But classes remained in session. And we provided regular reports and surveyed students and faculty to assure they felt safe and comfortable throughout construction.
The multi award-winning building included signature touches to outdoor teaching spaces with masonry and concrete work by highly skilled Riley tradespeople. Riley is proud to be part of the expansion of an important area of study, and a new recruitment jewel for the college.
