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   from the issue of May 8, 2008

     
 
Building to bring physics, astronomy together

 BY TROY FEDDERSON, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

Excavators are carving out the footprint of a new home for physics and astronomy.

 
NEW BUILDING - An artist's drawing of the Physical Sciences Building looking west across 16th Street. Work has started on the...
 NEW BUILDING - An artist's drawing of the Physical Sciences Building looking west across 16th Street. Work has started on the building, which will be west of the Walter Scott Engineering Center on 16th Street.

Funded by the Nebraska Unicameral, construction of the $37 million Physical Sciences Building has started along 16th Street, west of the Walter Scott Engineering Center.

The four-story, 124,000-square-foot building will include two lecture halls, four teaching labs and eight classrooms, along with office and lab space for physics and astronomy faculty.

"It's still a year and a half away, but we are very excited about setting up in a modern building with modern equipment," said Roger Kirby, a professor overseeing the project for physics and astronomy. "Right now, one of our biggest issues is space. The Physical Sciences Building will help us alleviate that problem while giving us an attractive place for students to study."

The structure is planned to be UNL's second LEED-certified, environmentally friendly building. It will combine physics and astronomy labs, classrooms and offices currently located in the 104-year-old Brace Laboratory, 60-year-old Ferguson Hall and 43-year-old Behlen Laboratory. University officials plan to remodel Brace and Behlen. Ferguson is scheduled to be demolished.

The Diocles Laser facility will remain in Behlen.

Perkins and Will Architects designed the Physical Sciences Building. The associate architects are Barr Vermeer Haecker. Sampson Construction will complete construction.

"One of the most prominent features in the design is an atrium space that will span from the first floor to the third floor," said Brad Muehling, lead project manager/designer for facilities management and planning.

The building will aim for silver certification from LEED, a federal "green" building program, said Muehling. The International Quilt Study Center and Museum earned a silver rating to become UNL's first environmentally friendly building.

The structure will also share lab space with a new nanoscience facility, which is a separate project.

The construction is expected to cause traffic delays along 16th Street. Starting May 16, two of the four lanes will close when work begins on a utility tunnel.



Summer Construction Zones





The UNL construction schedule includes these summer projects. Information provided by Facilities Management and Planning.


Morrison Life Sciences Research Center

Building is being occupied. Landscape work is nearing completion.


Abel and Sandoz Halls

Renovations begin. Includes additions to create a welcome center between the two residence halls. To be completed by summer 2010.


Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center

Project to be bid. Construction to begin late summer. To be completed in late 2009.


Whittier Building

Project to be bid. Includes creation of a child care facility and remodel into light research building. Construction to begin in late summer. To be completed in July 2009.


Keim Hall

Project to be bid. Complete remodel to begin mid- to late summer. To be completed in late 2009.


Barkley Memorial Center

$4.7 million building addition. Started in January. To be completed in May.


Animal Science Facility

Phased renovation, primarily mechanical system. Work to start this summer. To be completed late 2010.


College of Dentistry

Phased renovation. Work to begin late summer. To be completed late summer 2010.


Law College

Building expansion. Work in progress. To be completed by mid fall.


Nebraska Union

Runza and Planet Sub to replace Burger King and Subway spaces, respectively.



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