The Valparaiso Beacons Fan Zone Forum

Valparaiso University => General VU Discussion => Topic started by: okinawatyphoon on March 10, 2011, 08:06:32 AM

Title: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: okinawatyphoon on March 10, 2011, 08:06:32 AM
VU addition will add lab, demonstration space
http://www.nwi.com/articles/2009/04/02/news/porter/doc7a297123da1b0cdd8625758c0003cb3c.txt (http://www.nwi.com/articles/2009/04/02/news/porter/doc7a297123da1b0cdd8625758c0003cb3c.txt)

The exterior is almost complete, with a projected completion date of Fall 2011.

(http://www.valpo.edu/givetovu/news/images/3d-Overview-2008.9.15.jpg)

(http://www.valpo.edu/givetovu/news/images/gellCenter_9_17_08.jpg)
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: 78crusader on March 13, 2011, 09:09:17 PM
Okinawa,

Is there a web cam for the new academic building going up next to the library?  Thanks, Paul
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: okinawatyphoon on March 13, 2011, 09:50:25 PM
Quote from: 78crusader on March 13, 2011, 09:09:17 PM
Okinawa,

Is there a web cam for the new academic building going up next to the library?  Thanks, Paul

Nope, there's not. There's also very little mention of this project on the university website. However, please see the thread about the building where hopefully we can get updates from those in the area.
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: a3uge on March 16, 2011, 11:10:16 PM
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_NTTaajgnsVo/TYGJHBWgW_I/AAAAAAAAAOc/JyaiAAndZ4Y/s720/2011-03-15%2013.58.54.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_NTTaajgnsVo/TYGJHL0UlzI/AAAAAAAAAOY/OFpbwVXI0MU/s640/2011-03-15%2013.58.26.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_NTTaajgnsVo/TYGJGxo1z3I/AAAAAAAAAOU/vQywX0zJqE4/s640/2011-03-15%2013.58.32.jpg)
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: okinawatyphoon on March 17, 2011, 05:24:36 AM
Thanks for the pics a3. The brick and the windows look very nice!
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: vuweathernerd on March 17, 2011, 08:24:45 PM
i wish i was still there.... i miss valpo already, and i've only been gone for 3 months...
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: okinawatyphoon on April 22, 2011, 04:41:13 PM
Speaking of the solar furnace, here's a rendering from the architect's website (Design Organization). Sorry for the small picture, it's all they had. Hopefully it gives everyone an idea of how it might look.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/okinawatyphoon/FitesSolarFurnace.jpg)

Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: 78crusader on April 24, 2011, 09:37:53 PM
Just curious...has work started on the University Promenade project at the North entrance off Lincolnway?  And can someone post a recent picture of the new academic building so we can see how it's coming along?  Thanks, Paul
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: a3uge on April 27, 2011, 04:17:47 PM
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_NTTaajgnsVo/TbiHOaPCoEI/AAAAAAAAAPE/DP0xXfIXwlM/s912/2011-04-21%2018.19.20.jpg)

This oval thing is going up next to Gellerson.
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: okinawatyphoon on April 27, 2011, 09:39:37 PM
Interesting.....any idea what it is? Maybe a redesigned solar furnace?
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: a3uge on April 28, 2011, 03:42:14 PM
That's my guess. There simply isn't enough room in the spot the rendering is, unless they removed a transformer and the round observatory stand. This thing is oval and takes up some space. It's on the east end of Gellerson, which was just an open field. I could be wrong, but a lot more work would be needed to put the solar furnace in the location of the rendering, and the location I mentioned obviously could start right away.
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: valporun on April 28, 2011, 07:49:57 PM
Quote from: a3uge on April 28, 2011, 03:42:14 PM
That's my guess. There simply isn't enough room in the spot the rendering is, unless they removed a transformer and the round observatory stand. This thing is oval and takes up some space. It's on the east end of Gellerson, which was just an open field. I could be wrong, but a lot more work would be needed to put the solar furnace in the location of the rendering, and the location I mentioned obviously could start right away.

Does this mean they had to move the Astronomy Observatory for this solar furnace thing to go behind Gellersen?
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: okinawatyphoon on May 12, 2011, 09:55:11 PM
I noticed on the webcam that some of the exterior lighting has been completed. I will try and capture a few pics over the weekend, but this project appears to be largely complete.
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: okinawatyphoon on August 20, 2011, 03:08:35 PM
Some photos of the interior of the building have been uploaded to the valpo flickr page. Take a look at the link....it looks fantastic!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/sets/72157627476887716/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/sets/72157627476887716/)
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: vu72 on August 20, 2011, 03:27:37 PM
Very impressive.  The Business School had better be next!!   ;)
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: valpofan56 on August 20, 2011, 06:06:03 PM
Quote from: vu72 on August 20, 2011, 03:27:37 PM
Very impressive.  The Business School had better be next!!   ;)

Actually, Neil's Science Center better be next. It definitely needs it the most!
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: okinawatyphoon on August 25, 2011, 08:11:11 PM
A photo of the completed exterior. Definitely a first class addition to campus!  :thumbsup:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/6080268827/#in/set-72157627476887716/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/6080268827/#in/set-72157627476887716/)
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: vuweathernerd on August 25, 2011, 10:37:27 PM
so it's done i take it? anybody been inside it?
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: historyman on August 26, 2011, 09:16:22 AM
Yes, was inside the building in July. That is when I heard the explanation of the purpose of the solar furnace oven.

The pictures are very well done and show a good deal of what one can view of the building.

One area that you may notice is that there are areas of the ceiling where the vent system is exposed and then areas directly next to the exposed vent system where there are ceiling tiles hanging down and only covers part of the ceiling. This is obviously by design. But I certainly don't understand that architectural design with parts of the vent system exposed and part covered.
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: valpo95 on August 26, 2011, 12:45:22 PM
Any more pictures available of the solar furnace facility?  Maybe some more that shows how it is positioned relative to Gellersen?
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: okinawatyphoon on October 07, 2011, 11:26:57 AM
This project has been completed, and dedication is set for October 29. The only thing left is completion of the solar furnace, which won't be until next year sometime I read.
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: agibson on October 07, 2011, 12:12:37 PM
Quote from: historyman on August 26, 2011, 09:16:22 AM
One area that you may notice is that there are areas of the ceiling where the vent system is exposed and then areas directly next to the exposed vent system where there are ceiling tiles hanging down and only covers part of the ceiling. This is obviously by design. But I certainly don't understand that architectural design with parts of the vent system exposed and part covered.

I'm not sure I follow your whole paragraph - so pardon me if I'm repeating the obvious.  I read that, as you say, this was definitely intentional.  And felt as especially appropriate for an engineering building, to leave some of the engineering guts of the building visible.
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: historyman on October 09, 2011, 03:41:28 PM
Quote from: agibson on October 07, 2011, 12:12:37 PM
Quote from: historyman on August 26, 2011, 09:16:22 AM
One area that you may notice is that there are areas of the ceiling where the vent system is exposed and then areas directly next to the exposed vent system where there are ceiling tiles hanging down and only covers part of the ceiling. This is obviously by design. But I certainly don't understand that architectural design with parts of the vent system exposed and part covered.

I'm not sure I follow your whole paragraph - so pardon me if I'm repeating the obvious.  I read that, as you say, this was definitely intentional.  And felt as especially appropriate for an engineering building, to leave some of the engineering guts of the building visible.

To me it's like looking at a picture of a human body and most of the body is covered with skin but let's say a leg is exposed and you can see all the bones and veins because it's not covered by skin. Why have the beauty of the body showing if you aren't going to complete the beauty by exposing the "guts" of the body in the leg. It ruins the whole by showing some of the "guts."
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: vu72 on October 10, 2011, 12:40:52 PM
Here is a website which gives some additional info on the solar furnace project:

http://www.valpo.edu/engineering/solar/index.php (http://www.valpo.edu/engineering/solar/index.php)

http://www.valpo.edu/engineering/solar/about.php (http://www.valpo.edu/engineering/solar/about.php)
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: sectionee on October 27, 2011, 05:35:34 PM
Saw them putting the stage together this afternoon when I drove by.  I hope they have nice weather on Saturday!
Title: Re: Fites Engineering Innovation Center (Gellersen)
Post by: okinawatyphoon on March 22, 2013, 03:43:38 PM
The building formally received LEED Platinum certification, the highest rating. There are only 5 buildings in all of Indiana to receive this rating, and the first on a university campus.

http://www.valpo.edu/news/2013/03/22/valpos-fites-center-receives-coveted-leed-platinum-u-s-green-building-certification-2/ (http://www.valpo.edu/news/2013/03/22/valpos-fites-center-receives-coveted-leed-platinum-u-s-green-building-certification-2/)