W.E. O'Neil Completes Building Enclosure At The University Of Chicago's Eckhardt Research Center

W.E. O’Neil Completes Building Enclosure at The University of Chicago’s Eckhardt Research Center

W.E. O’Neil is pleased to announce the completion of the building enclosure at The University of Chicago’s Eckhardt Research Center. The five story, 277,000 square foot facility will be home to several of the university’s world-renowned physical and biological science research groups, including their new program in Molecular Engineering. Highlighted by an advanced curtain wall system, the facility’s design was a collaborative effort between the architectural firm HOK and artist James Carpenter.  The building features an intricate mechanical system to support specialized laboratories, imaging suites and cleanrooms for state of the art research.

In addition to the striking facade, the building features a concrete and steel structure, two levels below grade, a mat slab foundation system and many sustainable features that put it on track for a LEED Silver certification. W.E. O’Neil has taken a Lean approach to the delivery of the project with the use of fully coordinated, centralized BIM for MEP systems coordination and installation, handheld technology to manage quality in the field, and regular pull planning sessions to ensure timely completion of the work.  Construction is slated to be complete in mid-2015.