OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. — New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced a $100.2 million state investment towards transforming the 1980s-era Natural Sciences Building on the State of New York University (SUNY) Old Westbury campus. The three-phase project will bring the SUNY system one step closer to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its collegiate network.��

The project will modernize the Natural Sciences Building through a new temperature-regulating geothermal system, energy-efficient glazing, external sunshades, low-flume hoods and a green roof. Home to major STEM programs such as biological sciences, the second-largest program by enrollment at Old Westbury, the revitalized building will also offer state-of-the-art teaching laboratories, a greenhouse and teaching garden, and numerous instruction and collaboration spaces.��

“Thanks to the substantial state investment secured by Gov. Hochul, this project represents a significant transformation for the Natural Sciences Building, which was built over four decades ago,” said John B. King Jr., SUNY chancellor, in a statement. “With 40% of state-owned buildings, SUNY has the ability to help achieve Gov. Hochul’s ambitious climate goals through exciting projects like this one.” ��

The Natural Science Building project will be completed across three phases. According to a statement by SUNY Old Westbury, the first phase will focus on replacing outdated laboratory spaces, relocating specialized research equipment and creating surge space to lay the groundwork for the modernization and expansion. Phase II will focus on the construction of 20,000 new square feet of academic space, while Phase III will include additional interior renovations and exterior rehabilitation, transforming the Natural Sciences Building into a state-of-the-art education and research facility. Phase I is estimated at $100.2 million, while Phases II and III will bring the total project cost to $200 million. Work on Phase I, which commenced on Feb. 5 with a groundbreaking celebration, should be completed in 2028. ��

“We are proud that this building, once complete, will exceed the goals SUNY has set for us when it comes to energy and carbon reduction,” said Timothy E. Sams, Old Westbury president, in a statement. “As our campus mission demands of us, we will focus on environmental sustainability throughout the course of this work and in the years ahead as we create a facility that will prepare students for work in hospitals, laboratories, wind and chip manufacturing, public health, and more that are so vital to their own and New York’s success.”��

The renovation and deep energy retrofit project is part of the system’s net-zero Climate and Sustainability Action Plan, which aims to decarbonize the SUNY system—impacting 64 schools and an estimated 1.3 million students. In addition to lowering systemwide emissions, the plan will also increase research opportunities and expand green workforce development efforts. Further, it defines actions related to campus and building operations and capital project development to design for resiliency. The plan was developed by the 53-person SUNY Sustainability Advisory Council and includes insights from campus sustainability leaders and public feedback.��

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WASHINGTON, Conn.—The S/L/A/M Collaborative and Construction Services (SLAM) has just announced the successful completion of a new fitness space, the Emerson Fitness Center, for The Gunnery, a co-ed boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12 located in Washington. This collaborative design-build project transformed a 3,000-square foot theater building on the school’s campus into a new athletic, fitness and weight training facility for the student population and staff to use year-round.

The integrated design-build team at SLAM worked with the school to develop a program, reconfigure the existing space, propose conceptual imagery, develop a project budget and phased logistics plan for fast-tracked construction work on the occupied campus.

Interior renovations of the double-height wood frame structure, with exposed ceiling steel truss work, included new flooring, lighting, wall treatments, a mirror wall, and a mezzanine space, formerly housing the theater’s sound and lighting booth, now set up for Peloton bikes.

The S/L/A/M Collaborative (SLAM) is a national, multi-disciplinary design firm offering architecture, planning, interior design, landscape architecture, site planning and structural engineering services.

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In the Austin neighborhood on Chicago’s far west side, Wight’s team used sledgehammers to kick off a major performing arts center renovation project for client Catalyst Circle Rock. The K-8 charter school partners with local nonprofit organizations, including the Chicago Children’s Choir and Ravinia Festival, to provide a fine arts enrichment program for students. Wight’s assignment is to transform an auditorium that has been mothballed since 1973 into the new Kehrein Center for The Arts. The new space will seat 1,000 for performances by student groups, including the largest African American elementary school orchestra in the U.S. The building is slated for completion in late 2018.

On Chicago’s south side, Wight recently joined with students and officials at De La Salle Institute to mark the launch of an athletic field renovation project. Located three blocks from U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, De La Salle Institute is operated by the Archdiocese of Chicago. Using its integrated Design & Delivery model, Wight will design and provide construction management services to create a multipurpose turf field and spectator seating for this historic school. The project is scheduled for completion in August 2018.

Another groundbreaking took place for an addition at Downers Grove Grade School District 58’s Lester School in Chicago’s western suburbs. The new space will form three classrooms, ADA-compliant bathroom and a flexible resource space at the elementary school, which has been at capacity for several years. The project is slated for completion in time for the 2018-2019 school year.

The fourth project getting started is a renovation of Hadley Junior High School, also in Chicago’s western suburbs. This revamp for Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41 will provide highly needed additional classroom space for music programs and flexible learning spaces. The district has accommodated overflow by using portable classrooms for many years. The expanded school will open its doors to students for the 2019-2020 school year.

Launched in 1939, Chicago-based Wight & Company is a pioneer of integrated design and delivery, and one of America’s most-established planning, architecture, engineering, construction, and transportation and infrastructure services firms.

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