Friday, April 29, 2016

Café, Information Commons summer hours





Finding food gets tougher over the summer. Fortunately, Jeri Anderson, circulation/technical coordinator with Business/SPEA Information Commons is looking out for us by giving a heads up on summer café hours. Plan your snacks accordingly!

SPEA Café: Closed May 5-June 5. Reopens on June 6 with hour on Mondays-Thursdays from 8 a.m.-3 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Closed from July 30-August 21.

The Godfrey Center Café and Hodge Hall Café will be closed all summer.

Oh, and if you need a book or other Information Commons service, their hours for the summer will be: 

May 7-9: 
  • Closed              

May 10-July 29:        
  • Mondays-Fridays: 8  a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Saturdays: Closed
  • Sundays: 1-5 p.m.

May 30:
  • Closed

July 4:
  • Closed

July 30-August 21:
  • Mondays-Fridays: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Saturdays: Closed
  • Sundays: Closed              

            

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Taking Shape

Beams are delivered.

Working on the frame.

Taking shape.

Construction at twilight.

Friday, April 8, 2016

Steel beam delivery


It's a dismal day, but exciting as beams for the structure were delivered first thing this morning!

Friday, April 1, 2016

Being Green

Working toward LEED Gold certification


We contacted the architects for the SPEA addition and they, along with the University Director of Sustainability William M. Brown, provided this information on how the SPEA expansion and renovation is working to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.

Here are the talking points they have provided regarding the sustainable design goals of our building project:
  • The site is being developed to maximize open space and control the quantity of storm water runoff.
  • Reflective surfaces on the site and roof will mitigate the urban heat island effect.
  • No potable water will be used for irrigation and water-saving fixtures will reduce water use in the building by 35% compared to industry average.
  • Energy use will be 18% below average for a building of this type.
  • Enhanced commissioning will assure that the building is constructed to function as it was designed.
  • Renewable energy credits will be purchased to offset 100% of the building’s energy use for at least the first two years of operation.
  • More than 75% of construction and demolition waste will be diverted from the landfill.
  • At least 20% of the materials used in the building will be recycled content and extracted, processed and manufactured within the region.
  • Most of the wood used in the project will be FSC certified.
  • Outdoor air delivery will be monitored. There is an indoor air quality management plan in place during construction.
  • Low-emitting materials, including adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, carpet, and composite wood products have been specified.
  • Thermal comfort has been designed into the project and more than 75% of the spaces will be day lit.
  • Maintenance will adhere to a green housekeeping policy to assure continuing indoor air quality after occupation. 
  • The roof structure is over-sized in order to accommodate a potential future installation of solar panels.
  • The SPEA site is urban infill, not a greenfield site. It has the density and community connectivity and existing infrastructure in place to make for walkable access.
  • Public transportation access is excellent, reducing the need for single occupancy vehicles.
  • Preferred parking will be provided for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles. No parking spaces will be added, encouraging occupants to seek alternative and more active forms of transportation. 

These trees, on the SPEA Plaza, have been carefully boxed to be transplanted at another location.