Staring at stairs

Three floors of windows in the main stairwell, a major architectural feature of the O'Neill Center.

Looking up the open stairwell from the first floor. Note the limestone wall behind.

Frosted glass panels with stainless steel railings--a work in progress.

Prefer the elevator? The surround features the same limestone detailing as the stairwell.  

Can't get enough stairs? You are not alone. See a showcase of cool stairs from around the world and never stop stairing. 

Holiday building closures

From Chad Sweatman, Manager, Building Support Services:

The SPEA building will be locked December 24 -26 and December 31 – January 2 over the holiday break. Otherwise, the building will be open from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. as normal.

SPEA Building Support Services will be staffed and open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, December 27 – 30 and January 3 – 6. 

Fire alarm testing for the new center and current SPEA building will take place Monday, December 19. Audible alarms and strobes will be set off periodically during the day. No need to exit the building.

Furniture delivery for the O'Neill Center will start December 27. Expect lots of material moving on the elevators and through the hallways that week and two days the following week. 

Business/SPEA Information Commons winter break hours

December 17-18	CLOSED
December 19-23	8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
December 24 – January 2	CLOSED
January 3-6	8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
January 7-8	CLOSED

Spring semester hours will begin on Monday, January 9. Enjoy your break!

Photo courtesy of WFIU.

Inside, looking out

Progress continues on the exterior and interior, as the building gets closer to completion. Here are some views from the third floor:

A floor to ceiling view of the Herman B Well Library from the third floor commons.

Third floor commons, looking east. 

A view of the arboretum and campus from the dramatic open stairwell, construction in progress with temporary railings.

Looking down the stairwell to the main entry and the front plaza on Tenth Street. 

Street closing this weekend

This Saturday, December 10, the west bound lane of Tenth Street will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. so that a new curb and sidewalk can be installed in front of our building. 

Front landscaping arrives

Softscape to counter the hardscape arrived for the new front plaza area today. 

Project continues on track

Side view, heading west.

Update from Chad Sweatman, Manager, Building Support Services:

The O’Neill Center project continues on track to open for first day of classes in January.  Technology and furniture scheduled to install later this month. The perimeter heating system for our current building is now fully functional. 

Front plaza, leading into the building from Tenth Street (as viewed through the construction fence).