New STEM building

 In News

The construction is done. The students are studying, but there are still opportunities to ensure our students get access to the best equipment inside the new 70,000-square-foot LEED silver building. Contact Clark College Foundation today to become a partner in education..

Thank you for coming to our grand opening on Monday, October 3, 2016.

Clark College’s Robert K. Knight (left center), Gov. Jay Inslee, U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler and Clark student Megan Philips cut the ribbon as they are surrounded by (left to right) Casey Wyckoff, LSW Architects, Kelly Roth, Skanska, Joel B. Munson, Clark College Foundation, Jack Burkman, Clark trustee and Tina Barsotti, STEM professor, at the official opening of the new STEM Building on October 3, 2016.

Click for more photos of this spectacular space and the donors who made it possible.

The finished STEM building on August 1, 2016. Photo by Skanska.

The finished STEM building on August 1, 2016. Photo by Skanska.

 

Quick Facts
Clark is seeking a LEED silver certification for the building.
At 70,000 square feet, it will be the largest classroom building on Clark’s main campus.
99% of the construction waste is being recycled.
51% of Clark’s STEM faculty are women.
There’s a 44-foot drop tower for lab experiments.
A six-table cadaver lab for human anatomy observation and learning will be one of the finest in the Northwest.
The cost of the project is about $40 million between state funds and those provided by Clark College Foundation for equipment, the value of the land and other items.
Update July 2016

It’s done! After more than eight years of planning, building and fundraising, our beautiful 70,000 square-foot is complete, except for some ongoing landscaping. The official grand opening will occur Monday, October 3, 2016.

Guests mingle in the Paul B. and Deborah D. Speer Lobby during the exclusive tour on June 6, 2016.

Guests mingle in the Paul B. and Deborah D. Speer Lobby during the exclusive tour on June 6, 2016.

Clark College Foundation held an exclusive tour for invited guests on June 6, 2016. The gathering showcased the future of STEM in the region and the donors who provided funding for select sections of the facility.

“We couldn’t be prouder to offer you these tours today,” said Lisa Gibert, president/CEO, Clark College Foundation during the event. “I am very excited to show you this facility and express to you how it is going to impact STEM education in Southwest Washington.”

Click to read more about the event.


Construction Update, May 24, 2016

We are very nearly there. Construction is complete and now we’re reviewing and inspecting areas to ensure everything is in order. Landscaping and sidewalks are being installed. Finishing touches of a periodic table located on the floor outside of a chemistry lab is nearly complete.

Clark College Foundation will hold an exclusive tour of the new building and a reception on June 6 for invited guests. If you’d like to attend, contact Miranda Harrington at 360.992.2689.

This periodic table is located outside one of the chemistry labs in the new STEM building.

This periodic table is located outside one of the chemistry labs in the new STEM building.


Construction Update, March 21, 2016

The outside of the building has dramatically changed in the last few weeks. There have been some delays with the project. Therefore, the building is now set to be completed approximately May 3, 2016, which is about six weeks behind schedule. As result, classes will begin in the fall quarter. Originally, at least one class was planning to be offered in the summer quarter, but that has been rescheduled to begin in September.

The new STEM building as seen from Fort Vancouver Way.

The new STEM building as seen from Fort Vancouver Way.

 

Work continues at several locations on the site, including pouring concrete sidewalks and retaining walls; grading for future concrete work on the north side plaza; installation of plants around the perimeter of the site; construction of the garbage bins enclosures and an emergency generator; and air handler intake enclosures on the north side of the basement. Other work such as excavating for the rain gardens at the main entrance are also ongoing.

The asphalt pouring for the parking areas is occurring during spring break, from March 21-April 1. All construction equipment and vehicles have been removed from temporary parking areas and moved to either Yellow One lot or the parking lot on the corner of 4th Plain Blvd. and Fort Vancouver Way.

We are transitioning from construction terminology to public nomenclature as it pertains to the floor numbers. We will now reference the basement, first, second and third floors to correspond with the room numbering.

Major work continues inside the building. Most wall finishes are complete on the second and third floors, while the south side of the first floor remains open as the main entrance to the building for materials and equipment. The building is essentially sealed at all levels (either by glazing or temporary plastic sheeting) and propane heaters maintain temperatures of around 65 degrees and lower the humidity to allow the finishes to cure.

We took delivery of the cadaver lab lights and the tables. The lights were hung and the tables were put into place to confirm their connection to the exhaust system.

The new cadaver lab will feature lightening that is used in surgical rooms.

The new cadaver lab will feature lightening that is used in medical surgery.

 

The stairwells are being finished. Currently, they are completing the finishes and installation of the stainless steel handrails.

There are some special features in the new building, including these guardrails on all of the stairways.

There are some special features in the new building, including these guardrails on all of the stairways.

 

Building Fun Facts

The curtain wall, double-pane glass has a sealed layer of argon gas between the sheets of glass to increase the insulating qualities of the glazing.
Each pane of curtain wall glass has a low-emission coating on the interior face to reduce heat emission to the interior of the building.
Polished concrete is used throughout the building, for low maintenance and longevity.
The third-story lobby has passive cooling with air coming in through louvers near the floor of the lobby and louvers in the top-floor that are temperature controlled to allow hot air to escape.
Radiant heating is used in the lobby floor to counter cold winter air entering through the entry doors.
[hr]

Progress

Timeline

Construction bid awarded and construction began summer 2014
Equipment and furnishings review with department staff and faculty. Casework, fume hoods, cadaver lights and tables and some media equipment installed.
Fall/winter 2015-2016
Laptops, microscopes, specialized lab tables and other furniture and equipment delivered and installed.  Feb/March 2016
Occupy building. This may be a staggered move-in, occurring over time.  Spring 2016
Construction completed and equipment installed. Occupancy scheduled and staggered to maintain full operations.  Spring/summer 2016
Classes start Fall 2016
[hr]
Construction Update, January 4, 2016
South facing facade. Entrance is the orange canopy area on far right. The lift is delivering materials to the 3rd and 4th floors.

South facing facade. Entrance is the orange canopy area on far right. The lift in the center is delivering materials to the 3rd and 4th floors.

Recent rain and snow has slowed some of the progress this month. Thick mud led to the contractor needing to remove compromised base rock and restore it with compacted clean rock to support traffic coming in and out of the construction area.

The wind and rain also revealed several leaks in the roof at the east end of the building, particularly at the 4th floor plaza attachment in the east stairwell. These leaks damaged some insulation and drywall on the 3rd floor that the contractor will replace.

Work on the sidewalks south of Fourth Plain Boulevard began. As a result, the west lane of south-bound Fourth Plain Blvd. will be closed for about three months and foot traffic will be diverted from the west sidewalk to the east sidewalk leading south to campus.

Inside the building, the sunshades can now be seen extending out from the horizontal mullions. These sunshades are designed to allow the lower winter sun to shine below them and through the glass, providing direct light and heat to augment winter conditions. The sunshades also shield the glass in the summer from direct heat and light due to the higher sun. And throughout the year the aluminum sunshades reflect natural light indirectly into the corridors to augment the electric light.

Looking down into the lobby.

Looking down into the lobby.

The main elements of the lobby stairs are in place. The next step is to install the metal pan decks, pour the concrete landings and weld the railings in place. Additionally, work has started on the installation of the elevator and should be complete in the next few weeks.

In a few weeks installation will begin on the marmoleum flooring that covers the labs and prep areas, as well as the 3rd and 4th floor corridors. Lab casework is going up on the 3rd (chemistry) and 4th (biology) floors. The base units will eventually be covered with black epoxy tops.

Installation of the chemistry counter-tops and storage.

Installation of the chemistry counter-tops and storage.

Over the next few weeks the contractor will begin installing equipment, including vented chemical storage cabinets, standard and flammable freezers and refrigerators, distillation units and ice makers. By the end of January larger items will be installed, including two autoclaves, six custom cadaver tables, and two 6-foot bio-safety cabinets. The contractor will also install 110 whiteboards and tack boards throughout the building.


Construction Update, December 1, 2015
The construction from a bird's eye view as of November 3, 2015. Photo by Skanska.

The construction from a bird’s eye view as of November 3, 2015. Photo by Skanska.

 

The installation of the glass curtain wall is mostly complete. The trim is now being installed. The next step on the façade of the building is to install the sun shades to deflect direct sunlight during the warm seasons.

Rough grading on the south side of the building is nearly finished and the locations of most of the sidewalks have been delineated. Storm water and drainage systems are installed. The next big step is to place the fiber optic vault in-line with the new fiber optics connecting the STEM building with the main campus via the south lawn.

We have uncovered some hazardous materials on the north side of the building as we grade for the driveway, curbs, sidewalks and landscaping. Remediation is ongoing, resulting in time delays of at least one week and additional costs.

Work is continuing on all levels in the building, though the west end of the building is more advanced than the east end.

First floor: Mechanical and electrical equipment is installed in the basement and is now being connected. The building’s acid neutralization tank is in place and the system will be connected to the building’s acid waste lines in the future. Work on the building’s main distribution frame – where the fiber and IT connections are distributed to the building – has not yet begun. The intake and exhaust louvers for the air handlers are installed and the main overhead door is in place.

Second floor: This is the least completed of the floors. Primary ducts and infrastructure are being installed. Walls are still in the rough framing stage, and framing for the doors and windows is also in the preliminary stages. Piping for the radiant floor slab in the lobby is laid, and rebar is now being placed in preparation for the concrete floor pour that will soon occur.

Third floor: Drywall grouting and priming the walls for paint is ongoing throughout this floor. Most of the main mechanical ducts and other primary lines are in place, and detail work such as air vents, ceiling grids and light fixtures are now being installed. Most of the lab casework has been delivered, but we will wait to install them once the wall finishes are complete. Offices in the east end have drywall installed, and finish work will begin soon.

Fourth floor: Rough installation of the infrastructure continues, with drywall installation going up as work areas clear.

Roof: Most of the roof insulation is in place, and detail work around the parapet and drains is ongoing.

On December 11, the contractor will relocate their job site trailer to the north end of the Yellow One parking lot to allow for final grading of the new Yellow Two parking lot west of the STEM building. This is in preparation for curb and paving work.[hr]

Construction Update, October 28, 2015
The new STEM building facing north looking at the east end of the building.

The new STEM building facing north looking at the east end of the building.

The installation of the glass curtain wall on the north façade is nearly complete and a few panels have been purposely left out of the south façade to provide access for materials lifted up to the third and fourth floors.

The curtain wall and closure of the outer face of the building is critical to controlling the temperature and humidity in the building. These factors have to be within a certain range before mud can be applied to the drywall seams, finishes can be applied and painting can begin.

The site subcontractor began grading the south side of the building where the old Yellow Two parking lot once was. A new lawn will be planted in its place.

Work continues on the second floor, where rough framing is ongoing. Several slabs on-grade have yet to be poured and the radiant floor slab is still under construction.

A third-floor corridor along the north side of the building.

A third-floor corridor along the north side of the building.

The majority of the third floor framing is complete and a large propane heater is running constantly to control temperature and humidity. Insulation and drywall is still being installed on the fourth floor.

This is the view from the outdoor patio area of the new STEM building.

This is the view from the outdoor patio area of the new STEM building.

Hazmat is still being uncovered on the north side of the building, where the main water line and fire-line trenches are located. Remediation is taking place, with the hazmat being trucked to The Dalles to a certified hazmat landfill.

Adam Kuby, the artist selected by Clark’s Art Project Committee, visited the site in October to take pictures of the south façade and lawn. Kuby is known for his outdoor artistry. Examples of his work are at his website.

Aerial view of the STEM building under construction as of October 2015. Photo by Skanska.

Aerial view of the STEM building under construction as of October 2015. Photo by Skanska.


Progress
Timeline
Construction bid awarded and construction began summer 2014
Equipment and furnishings review with department staff and faculty. Casework, fume hoods, cadaver lights and tables and some media equipment installed.
Fall/winter 2015-2016
Laptops, microscopes, specialized lab tables and other furniture and equipment delivered and installed.  Feb/March 2016
Occupy building. This may be a staggered move-in, occurring over time.  Spring 2016
Construction completed and equipment installed. Occupancy scheduled and staggered to maintain full operations.  Spring/summer 2016
Classes start Fall 2016

Construction Update, October 20, 2015
This September 5, 2015, aerial shot shows the roof covering about two-thirds complete. The remainder of the roof will be installed once all of the heavy structural work and welding are completed at the high roof. The gray structural elements of the lobby and high roof can be seen toward the right (east) end of the building. Photo by Skanska

This September 5, 2015, aerial shot shows the roof covering about two-thirds complete. The remainder of the roof will be installed once all of the heavy structural work and welding are completed at the high roof. The gray structural elements of the lobby and high roof can be seen toward the right (east) end of the building. Photo by Skanska

 

The installation of the glass curtain wall on both the north and south façades continues. The double-pane glass has a sealed layer of argon gas between the sheets of glass to increase the insulating qualities of the glazing. Each pane of glass also has a low-emission coating on the interior face to reduce heat emission to the interior of the building.

The main waterline from Fourth Plain Boulevard has been tapped and valves installed in order to route domestic and fire-line water to the building.

The majority of the work continues to be on the building interior. The framing on the third floor is about 95 percent complete, and the majority of the areas for power, water, data, etc., is also finished. Drywall is being installed near the interior of the building. The third-story lobby has been roughed in with most of the structural elements. The second floor polished concrete is mostly poured.

Fourth floor conference room with a view to the main campus through the supper lobby. The drop town framework is in the center of this October 1, 2015, photo.

Fourth floor conference room with a view to the main campus through the supper lobby. The drop town framework is in the center of this October 1, 2015, photo.

 

We will soon be reviewing the radiant floor slab in the lobby immediately inside the main entrance. This allows heating the concrete floor of the lobby where most of the cold air enters the building through the entry doors.

The old entrance to the demolished Yellow Two lot located off Fort Vancouver Way has been permanently closed and a continuous sidewalk was installed in preparation for the future Bus Rapid Transit System station near Fourth Plain Boulevard. Some work in this span will be incomplete until next year when the two Bus Rapid Transit System stations on the west side of Fort Vancouver Way are installed by the city.

STEM second floor, facing west as seen on October 1, 2015.

STEM second floor, facing west as seen on October 1, 2015.


 

Construction Update, September 28, 2015

The framing and infrastructure are going up rapidly inside the building. Also, exterior windows are providing a new look to the building.

The framing and infrastructure are going up rapidly inside the building. Also, exterior windows are providing a new look to the building.

 

The exterior walls actually two two panes of glass sealed to the frame with silicone in addition to 90 percent argon gas in the half-inch space in between. Argon gas helps increase the insulating value of the window. Each pane of glass has a low emissivity coating on the interior face to reduce heat emission into the interior of the building. The metal frames are also insulated to minimize heat loss and gain around the glass.


Construction Update, August 25, 2015
STEM building facing north.

STEM building facing north.

The aluminum structure for the glass curtain wall on both façades is being installed and glass installation is proposed to begin in the next few weeks. The south-facing façade (toward the T Building) shows the nearly completed wall structure, while the entrance of the building and its canopy steel structure is at the right side of the building.

Clark’s Facilities department reviewed the landscaping plan along Fort Vancouver Way that is part of the city’s Great Streets initiative. It has determined that maintaining this additional landscaping, including irrigation provided by the college, would be too costly.

After discussions with the city, we determined that the concrete walk will be extended to the curb and we will provide planters at the base of major trees along the street. This will reduce future maintenance and irrigation costs, as well as minimize safety concerns when Clark’s with grounds personnel work next to the street.

The building interior is getting crowded with most of the wall framing in place, as well electrical and plumbing services. Work on the second floor slab is continuing, with rebar going in now.

The second floor slab rebar is being put in place.

The second floor slab rebar is being put in place.

The main air handling units were installed in the basement on August 6. Work continues to connect them to the building duct work for environmental control.

The stairs at the west end of the building are being welded into place. As soon as this is done the curtain wall and concrete features will be installed.

Adam Kuby, an artist selected by the Clark’s Art Selection Committee, will join the committee to review options for art installation.


Construction Update, July 24, 2015
The final major concrete pour on the roof deck has taken place as of June 18, 2015. Photo by Skanska.

The final major concrete pour on the roof deck has taken place as of June 18, 2015. Photo by Skanska.

The final major concrete pour on the roof deck has taken place and the work generally associated with the bonded, post-tensioned slabs throughout the building is complete. Work has now shifted to installing the fall protection and parapet walls, installing concrete curbs to support duct work and exhaust fans, and welding the steel elements necessary to support the glass curtain wall that will cover the south side of the building.

Much of the work now is occurring in the interior of the building, with metal stud-wall framing and major sheet metal components for the HVAC duct work being attached to the ceilings. Exposed architectural concrete columns and walls are being sanded. Fire-line piping is going up on the 3rd and 4th floors.


Construction Update, June 12 , 2015

The last major concrete slab on the roof was poured in June and framing of the walls began on the third and fourth floors. Work on the pipes, pumps and other mechanical infrastructure is occurring in the basement. Finally, the sewer connection is complete as is the connection of the piping necessary to run chilled water to the STEM building from the main campus. Clark College Foundation is offering hard-hat tours of the STEM building under construction to showcase the vision of the structure. For a complimentary tour, please call 360.992.2301.


Construction Update, May 26, 2015
Construction as of May 18, 2015, includes the 4th floor and part of the roof. Photo by Skanska.

Construction as of May 18, 2015, includes the 4th floor and part of the roof. Photo by Skanska.

The western third of the roof deck was poured with the wooden deck forms for the remainder of the roof now being installed as in the May 18 photo. The hole-like area in the lower corner closest to Fort Vancouver Way is the 4th floor entrance plaza that will remain open. The primary utility trench connecting the main campus to the STEM building has been dug and appears between Fort Vancouver Way and the trees in the lower left corner of the May 18 picture. This trench ties into the west end of the bore under Fort Vancouver Way and contains the chilled water hydronics lines, the fiber optic connection to Gaiser Hall and irrigation lines.


Construction Update, May 7, 2015
Construction as of May 4, 2015, includes the 4th floor and part of the roof. Photo by Skanska.

Construction as of May 4, 2015, includes the 4th floor and part of the roof. Photo by Skanska.

The fourth floor deck pour is nearly complete except for a few small strip areas. The wooden form work at the left (west) end of the building is in preparation for a roof pour the week of May 11.

At the lower left corner of the May 4 aerial image is the 24-inch bore pipe that was installed under Fort Vancouver Way earlier this winter, as well as a new valve vault near the corner of the T-Building. This valve vault contains isolation valves for our chilled water hydronics lines.

Next the contractor will begin trenching from that vault north, parallel to Fort Vancouver Way, to the area just below and to the left of the green snorkel truck that is in the May 4 image.

From that area, the trench will turn parallel to the east (right) end of the building and connect to pipes coming out of the basement behind the trees next to the yellow vehicles.


Construction Update, April 24, 2015
This aerial photo shows the progress as of April 16, 2015. The 4th floor is now two-thirds complete. Photo by Skanska.

This aerial photo shows the progress as of April 16, 2015. The 4th floor is now two-thirds complete. Photo by Skanska.

The floor floor slab is now two-thirds completed. The form work shown at the right (east) end of the aerial photograph will allow for the pouring of concrete for the forth floor. At the left (west) end, the stairwell and the main structure for the shear wall have been formed.

The gaping hole at the lower right side of the photograph is the main entrance of the building, as well as the third-story lobby.

 


Construction Update, April 14, 2015
The STEM building includes a half basement that contains the mechanical equipment that keeps the structure operational, such as boilers.

The STEM building includes a half basement that contains boilers and hydronic lines, keeping the building operational.

The STEM project is about 1/3 of the way complete.

In one day, April 7, workers poured about 1.2 million lbs. of concrete.

The project will use 25 million lbs. of concrete.

Concrete can take 50 to 70 years to cure.

The concrete if from a company in Orchards, Wash.

There will be a 2,250 square-foot floor open-air plaza on the top floor for Clark employees only.

The exterior top two floors of this three-story building will be enclosed in glass, providing views of the surrounding area, as well as glimpses of Mt St Helens.

In early April, there were about a half dozen trades on the construction site, such as plumbers, electricians and graders. By this summer, there will be a dozen or more on site at any one time.

Source: Skanska


Construction Update, April 3, 2015
The 70,000 square-foot science technology engineering and math building is slated to open in 2016. It will include new labs, classrooms, machining rooms and more.

Two floors of the 70,000 square-foot science technology engineering and math building are now distinguishable. The building is slated to open in 2016. It will include new labs, classrooms, machining rooms and more. Photo by Jenny Shadley.

 


Construction Update, March 13, 2015
This February 18 photo is facing north, northwest with Fourth Plain Bld across the top. Fort Vancouver Way runs across the bottom and Clark's T building is at the left. The foundation building is just north of the building site. Photo by Skanska Corp.

This February 18 photo is facing north, northwest with Fourth Plain Bld across the top. Fort Vancouver Way runs across the bottom and Clark’s T building is at the left. The foundation building (brown roof) is just north of the building site. Photo by Skanska.

The larger concrete slab on the right of the photo above is the second floor slab that will be just inside the entrance, which is the smaller slab below and to the left. The two racks of rebar on the smaller slab mark the entrance of the main building.

The second floor slab shown here covers the mechanical basement on the first floor. To the left (west) of the concrete slab, separated by the large wall form, is the structural fill which will later have a standard concrete slab. That slab will be poured after all of the main floor slabs are complete.

At the far left is the form for the third floor concrete slab. The third, fourth and roof slabs extend the full length of the building and will be poured in three phases from west to east.

Each slab will be ten inches thick. As the concrete pours progress, the forms from each phase will be stripped and moved straight up to the next floor pour. Concrete weighs approximately two tons per cubic yard, so this form work must support approximately 125 pounds per square foot or more than 900 tons.


Construction Update, February 19, 2015
Basement of new STEM building, February 2015

Basement of new STEM building, February 2015

STEM construction, February 2015

STEM construction, February 2015

Elevator construction, February 2015

Elevator construction, February 2015

STEM construction, February 2015

STEM construction, February 2015

The basement section of the building is taking shape. The two holes in the left of the basement wall (left photo) are for the hydronics lines that will carry chilled water. One supplies chilled water from the Central Mechanical building on campus, while the other returns slightly warmed water back to Central Mechanical, where it is then routed into the irrigation system on campus. Hot water for domestic and heating use in STEM will be created in the building using two large boilers located in the basement.

The elevator shaft will be located at the upper right corner of the basement. At this time, there are multiple aluminum posts supporting the structure. The concrete that makes up the columns are in various stages of curing within their wooden forms. In March, the construction crew is expected to pour the third floor slab, according to Jim Watkins, Clark’s project manager.

In the aerial photo below, the green in the center is the vapor barrier for the basement slab, which was poured on Tuesday, January 27, 2015. On the right are the forms for the main concrete shear-wall running down the center of the west end of the building and the second floor walls for the west stairwell, both of which were also poured the week of January 26.

Also from the aerial photograph, the sloping retaining wall to the right of the basement will be back filled from the right (west) side, and the second floor slab will be poured after the rest of the second floor footings and columns are in place. The main entrance will be on the south (upper left) side of the basement,

Crews discovered some hazardous materials while digging at the building site. Watkins believes it was asbestos. The process of removing and disposing of the waste safely set the project back about a month, he said.

Construction is now expected to be completed in February 2016. Currently, the building is slated to open for students by summer 2016, according to college officials. There is a gated walking path now open that is accessible from East Fourth Plain Blvd. It is located adjacent to the Skanska construction entryway. Access to the Clark College Foundation building has changed because of the construction.

The foundation for Clark's STEM building is taking shape. This aerial was captured Saturday, January 24, 2015. Photo by Skanska.

The foundation for Clark’s STEM building is taking shape. This aerial was captured Saturday, January 24, 2015. Photo by Skanska.

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