News The William Eckhardt Research Center and the remodeled 5757 South University Avenue will be completed by fall 2015 and January 2015, respectively.

Posted May 20, 2014 by Sara Cao

Photo: Jamie Manley

The William Eckhardt Research Center, which will house the astronomy and astrophysics department, the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics, the Enrico Fermi Institute, and the new Institute for Molecular Engineering, will be open for use beginning fall 2015. The building will be located on South Ellis Avenue between East 56th Street and East 57th Street, across from the Joe and Rika Mansueto Library.

A crucial component to the design of the William Eckhardt Research Center has been to tailor the building to accommodate the diverse facilities of its future occupants, according to Amy Lee, communications strategy manager for Facilities Services.

Every time [the University] brings in a new researcher, Facilities Services gets involved because were building a new home for a new researcher that will need to be tailored to meet that persons needs, Lee said.

Because of this, construction began on all stories simultaneously, as opposed to building floor by floor as is typical, to allow researchers to visit the building and discuss their specific needs with architects.

Many of the floors will be shared between departments, and each floor features collaboration spaces in which researchers across departments can interact and work together on projects. Furthermore, the collaborative Pritzker Nanofabrication Facility, part of the Institute for Molecular Engineering, will be housed in the buildings first lower level. The facility will feature a large clean room, which will filter out the majority of airborne contaminants and provide a space in which members of various departments can collaborate on innovation in nanotechnology.

The buildings two basement levels were specially designed to mitigate vibrations that would interfere with the precise measurements at an atomic level taking place there.

The interior remodeling of 5757 South University Avenue will prepare it to house parts of the Department of economics and the Becker Friedman Institute for Research in Economics. The remodeling includes the renovation and expansion of the former Chicago Theological Seminary building and the development of 58th Street into a pedestrian walkway. Faculty and staff are expected to move into the building over the summer, and classes will begin fall 2014. The project also includes the construction of a modern economic research pavilion located behind the building, which is scheduled for completion January 2015.

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Math, econ buildings on new foundations

A view of the Farrar school in Farrar taken from the city cemetery across the street

School was completed in 1922 and housed first grade through 12th grades

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By DANN HAYES dhayes1@dmreg.com

The school house in Farrar is a three-story structure (with a gym in the basement) built across from a cemetery on six acres donated to the local school district in 1919.

Farrar, located about 15 or so miles northeast of Des Moines near highway 65, was completed in 1922 school started for first through 12th grades.

According to Will Conkel, owner of C & H Home Remodeling, and the volunteer building engineer

One of the classrooms inside the school with desks, chairs and equipment that were in the school when Nancy Oliver and her husband James bought the building.

for the Farrar school, the last high school class graduated in 1958 when they consolidated when the Bondurant-Farrar Community School District was formed.

Read more from the original source:
The history of haunting at Farrar

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SPICER, Minn. (WCCO) Lake residents in parts of east central Minnesota are hoping for drier weather soon as high water remains a big problem for many near Green Lake in Isanti County.

High water is typical of many lakes in Isanti, Chisago and Anoka Counties.

Heavy spring rains and snowmelt have swollen lake levels, putting a pinch in the start of the boating season.

For his 66 years on Green Lake, longtime resident Ken Murray has seen the water rise and fall before.

Ive seen the water in the middle of the picture windows on those cabins, over there on that side of the lake, Murray said.

While its far from a record, its been a spring to remember.

Its been awhile since sandbags have gone up instead of docks.

Winter ending with quite a bit of snow then wet. Then we had quite a bit of rain, seven inches. Just poor conditions, Murray said.

Originally posted here:
High Water Levels On Green Lake Threaten Isanti Co. Residents

Many homeowners spruce up their basements by installing game rooms, wine cellars, home bars, offices, workout rooms or media centers.

But retired architect Bob Schwartz and his wife, Carol, took basement renovation to a new level, excavating the bottom floor of their Bethesda home to create an extra foot of head room and dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows to illuminate what had been a dark, damp, dreary space.

While they kept the living room on the main level, they relocated the kitchen and dining room to the basement. To connect the public areas of the house, they had a section of the first floor removed, fencing off the opening with a decorative and functional wooden border creating a small-scale, residential atrium.

When they first toured it seven years ago, Carol, 71, dubbed the 2,700-square-foot rectangle house a wreck. It had a leaky basement, along with an ill-conceived and poorly executed addition off the back. Moreover, it was 1,000 square feet smaller than the house in the District where they were living.

We wanted a house that we could fix up, says Bob, 72. Another couple was looking at the same house in Bethesda on the same day, and we overheard them saying they wanted a fixer-upper but nothing this bad.

Yet Bob said he saw potential.

The house without the addition was about the right size, and the brick exterior shell was in good shape, he says. The couple also liked the neighborhood and the location, which backs up to the Capital Crescent Trail. We can walk to things in Bethesda, not use our cars and the view out the back looks to the southeast, so we could use some passive solar techniques, says Bob.

The design goals for the renovation included a main-level master suite complete with adequate, customized storage and a moon gate, inspired by trips to Asia, a circular opening that Bob adapted into a window seat and storage solution.

Guest quarters for the couples visiting children would be configured on the upper level. When guests arent present, the second floor doubles as Bobs home office. The previous addition to the house was scavenged for usable materials, then demolished.

To bring natural light into the basement, the Schwartzes instructed the contractors to excavate around the front and rear of the lower level, add larger windows and regrade the land so the exterior doors open to a landscaped back yard. Large windows on the back of the house provide a source of light and heat in the winter. The designer took advantage of using the earth as insulation by leaving the sides of the basement partially buried.

Read more:
With renovated basement, Bethesda couple digs in to open up a homes potential

Nick Richmond and Brian Barrick of Matrix Basement Systems Honored with Big50 Award

Each year since 1986, the REMODELING Big50 inducts 50 owners of remodeling companies that have set exceptionally high standards for professionalism and integrity through exemplary business practices, craftsmanship, and impact in their community or the industry at large. Big50 remodelers run successful, often growing, companies of various sizes that have taken the lead in raising industry standards.

The Big50 selection process has become increasingly rigorous in recent years, and the result, REMODELING editors believe, is one of the strongest classes to date. Uniting the 2014 inductees are high standards and a determination to rebound following the recession taking the opportunity to retool systems and processes ensuring that they are poised to meet their sales, production, and customer-service goals and continue to thrive, according to REMODELING.

We are very honored to receive this distinction, says Nick Richmond, President of Matrix Basement Systems, Inc. The award recognizes excellence and leadership, and we are privileged to be named to this select group of remodelers.

REMODELING editors, columnists, industry leaders, and the companies themselves make the nominations each year. Following a lengthy evaluation and interview process, the editors select the 50 individuals who exemplify the best of the industry that year, and who have something to offer other remodelers in proven practices.

REMODELING, published by Hanley Wood, LLC, is the leading publication in the home improvement industry. REMODELING has and continues to be the indispensable tool that remodelers cannot do withoutdelivering the business know-how, product and technical information that home improvement pros need to help make smart decisions that will shape their project success.

About Matrix Based in Arlington Heights, Illinois, Matrix Basement Systems, Inc. is the largest basement finishing contractor in the Midwest. Founded in 2009, Matrix has provided homeowners with a non-toxic, energy-efficient, waterproof, mold proof, paintable wall system that is quickly and easily installed, and protects basements from water and moisture damage for years to come. Matrix has brought dry basement environments and great basement design services to more than 1,000 homes across the Chicagoland and Detroit areas. The innovation of successful entrepreneurs Nick Richmond and Brian Barrick has not only impacted residential construction, but their recent launch of Matrix Manufacturing, USA is the Midwests biggest producer of Basement SIPS, MgO-Board, Tyroc Subflooring, and Panel Lamination services. With more than 100 employees spread across multiple locations in Illinois and Michigan, Matrix Basement Systems is a leader in the basement remodeling industry and will continue to be an innovator in green building and home performance materials.

Contact Information: Anne La Francis Matrix Basement Systems, Inc. 847-290-8000 info@mymatrixbasement.com http://www.mymatrixbasement.com 1435 E. Algonquin Rd. Arlington Heights, IL 60005

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Nick Richmond and Brian Barrick of Matrix Basement Systems Honored with Big50 Award

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Main Gate owner: Closure related to remodeling plans