Hard hatsĀ and hammers are a familiar sight at pilipiliĀž» these days, with a number of projects on the go. For an update, Dalnews talked to Alex Walker, director of projects for Dalhousieās Facilities Management.
- The concrete frame for the new academic building at Coburg Road and LeMarchant Street has been completed and work is now beginning on the āexterior envelope and interior rough-ins,ā says Mr. Walker. The building has been getting some attention over the summer for its innovative construction, which includes the use of plastic balls in its concrete floors. pilipiliĀž» is the first to use the āBubbledeckā technology in Atlantic Canada, a lighter, more sustainable building method. The four-storey building, which will house the College of Continuing Education and also provide space for the Department of Social Work and Faculty of Computer Science research, is expected to become Dalhousieās greenest building. Planned features include a cistern, a solar wall and a green roof. Itās on track to be completed next summer.
- The structure of the Life Sciences Research Institute (LSRI), adjacent to the Tupper Medical Building, is starting to take shape. At 160,000 square feet, the LSRI will be a research intensive building, with an advanced air exchange system that will keep track of seven air quality measures. The four-storey building with underground parking and a mechanical penthouse is slated for completion in March 2011.
- With the expansion of Dalhousieās medical program to New Brunswick next September, classrooms in the Tupper Medical Building are getting a major overhaul to accommodate teleconferencingāin essence, allowing students in Saint John and Halifax to attend the same lectures. The retrofit will take a few months. In the meantime, Dalhousie has leased classroom space in Chapter House on University Avenue.
- With funding from the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, the Life Sciences Building is getting an extensive retrofit. The list of whatās to be done is still being drawn up, but the ā70s-era concrete building is due for a major overhaul of its electrical and mechanical systems. āWe want the LSC to be a much more friendly building for the people who teach, learn, work and perform research there,ā says Mr. Walker.