The Marquette University Board of Trustees has approved moving ahead with the first phase of the university’s new, $100 million College of Engineering facility. Marquette University has selected Opus North Corporation as the Design-Builder in tandem with Opus Architects & Engineers as the architect of record. Hammel Green & Abrahamson (HGA) collaborated with Opus on the conceptual design phases of the 100,000 square-foot building.
The first phase will involve construction of a five-story building and preparation of the site has already begun with soil testing, environmental and demolition work on four university-owned buildings. Marquette University Architect, Thomas Ganey, said “the university expects to break ground for the new building in spring 2010 with initial occupancy planned for August 2011.”
“Opus North is excited and honored to deliver such an important building to Marquette University and its community. We are very proud of our longstanding relationship with Marquette and its commitment to excellence.” said Danny Queenan, president and CEO of Opus North. The world-class and innovative learning & research environments will feature an innovative Discovery Learning Laboratory and a two-story ‘Engineering Materials and Structural Testing’ laboratory, as well as other new teaching and research laboratories, common areas for students and office space. The initial structure will be linked to a future 150,000 square foot building that will include classrooms, offices and additional laboratories.
The architecture is both collegiate gothic and forward looking in appearance, in harmony with the vocabulary of the campus. “The facility is organized about a central spine, showcasing dynamic laboratories, and providing collaborative spaces to gather and foster a creative community. The exterior architecture speaks to the lab planning module and the engineering logic of assembly while the repetitive monumental elements and rhythm echo the collegiate gothic architectural vocabulary found elsewhere on campus. The glassy exterior reinforces the ‘Engineering on Display’ focus and enhances the new facility’s identity as an avant-garde educational institution teaching engineers of the 21st century.” said Terry Helland, director, design architecture for Opus A&E.
Representing the ‘transformational change’ in the way the new facility will allow the College of Engineering to educate its students; the new facility is designed around the teaching and research house concept. A teaching and research house consists of labs, classrooms and student collaboration work areas designed to facilitate and encourage daily interaction among students and with faculty. Another key concept is to demonstrate and motivate sustainability and environmental stewardship. “Visibility and interaction with sustainable technologies and components are desirable and strategies are being considered to create visible, teaching opportunities.” said Helland.
Currently, Opus North’s Milwaukee office has more than $100 million of construction underway at Marquette, including the new Marquette University Law School – Ray & Kay Eckstein Hall, which will open in the summer of 2010. Additionally, the Joseph and Vera Zilber Hall, a 128,000 SF new student services/ administration building will be ready for initial occupancy this November.
# # #
About Opus North Corp.
Opus North, Corp., is a full-service design-builder and development firm with expertise in office, industrial, retail, multifamily, government and institutional projects. Opus North has developed more than 315 projects totaling more than 50 million square feet of space since starting operations in 1972. Committed to creating great real estate, Opus implements best practices in sustainable design and construction to maximize building performance and reduce environmental impact. For more information, visit
www.opuscorp.com
Photo Caption: The College of Engineering facility, a five-story, 100,000 square foot building
Editor’s Note: For more information, please contact Winston Hewett at 952-656-4470 or
winston.hewett@opuscorp.com.