As part of work being undertaken during the spring and summer 2009 to address life safety issues in the 33-year-old Kibbie Dome, you will see the west wall of the facility being replaced with translucent panels that will be part of a non-combustible construction assembly for that wall. Truly, this will shine a new light on Vandal activities in the Dome. 

Concurrent with the end-wall replacement, a range of interior life safety work will take place including: west end exiting in the new wall; adding handrails in the seating aisles; providing for some of the required smoke exhaust systems; and making other life safety and code mitigation improvements. The University’s Board of Regents approved, and the University secured, a $10 million finance package to fund this initial phase of life safety work. The availability of additional funding will guide the timing and scope of additional phases of life safety work.

Project Architect: Opsis Architecture

Construction Manager at Risk: Walsh Construction

Project Timeline: Spring 2009-Fall 2009

Art and Architecture South Life Safety Upgrades

The Art and Architecture South Building is one of the oldest structures on campus. It was built in 1904 and originally served as the University’s Armory and women’s gymnasium. It now houses Architecture and Interior Design faculty and administration offices, student design studios and a computer lab. It’s one of four University-owned buildings on the National Register of Historic Structures – the others being the Administration Building, Ridenbaugh Hall and Memorial Gym.

The structure originally was topped with a cupola. The crowning architectural detail was removed and destroyed long ago and exact details about the when and why are lost, or possibly misplaced, in history.

Since the building was undergoing life safety improvements this summer, the Facilities Department, along with the building’s occupants, factored additional ventilation into the project since the third floor tends to overheat. Because adding air conditioning was beyond budget realities, the project team zeroed in on recreating the historic cupola as the solution to provide additional ventilation and natural cooling. 

The project is funded through the state Permanent Building Fund and administered by the state. The life safety improvement project is an essential component in the College of Art and Architecture’s accreditation efforts.

Project Architect: Ellis Feeney Architects and Planners

General Contractor: Golis Construction

Project Timeline: Summer 2009-Fall 2009

Life Science South Exterior Envelope Repairs

This project carries out needed repairs to portions of the building's existing cast stone and brick envelope that are showing signs of breakage and deterioration.  In some cases, simple patching and pointing will be done to existing stone and brick.  In many areas, the level of deterioration in the existing cast stones will require that the existing stone be removed, a mould casted, and a completely new cast stone piece set in place.  All restored areas will be cleaned and recoated to match the existing building.  The majority of the work will be concentrated on the south and west building entrances.  The project budget is $450,000.

Life Science South was constructed in 1924 and designed by architect Rudolph Weaver.  Weaver was chair of the architecture department from 1923-1925.  In addition to Life Science South, Weaver designed buildings on several college campuses throughout the US including buildings on the campus of WSU, University of Florida, and Florida State University.

Project Architect: Associated Architects

General Contractor: Pioneer Waterproofing

Project Timeline: Summer 2009-Fall 2009

Student Union Building Ballroom Renovation

The ballroom in the Student Union Building is the venue for numerous student and university hosted events throughout the year.  It was constructed as part of the 1961 addition to the north end of the Student Union Building and has not undergone any significant upgrades or improvements since that time. 

The space had become dated in appearance and functionality.  This project will renovate the Ballroom and the adjacent lobby and service spaces with new finishes, sound system, lighting, sprinkler system and movable partition panels. 

In addition to the aesthetic and functional improvements, the newly remodeled ballroom will offer greater scheduling opportunities for those groups who utilize the room regularly as well as provide an opportunity for hosting additional and simultaneous events, which was not previously possible.

Project Architect: Castellaw Kom Architects
Design Architect: zimmerraystudios

General Contractor: Golis Construction

Project Timeline: Summer 2009-Fall 2009

Chilled Water Storage Tank

The 90-foot tall tank holds two million gallons of water and is being placed near the University golf course along Perimeter Drive. This is first chilled water storage tank to be installed on the Moscow campus.

The University already has a central chilled water system that consists of two main plants that generate and distribute cool water. Together, the new and existing systems will lead to more efficient air conditioning across campus. Electric centrifugal chillers and steam absorption chillers that utilize steam to generate cold water provide the majority of chilled water for campus use. In the future, individual building chillers will either be decommissioned or connected to the central loop to provide additional capacity.

The project also includes the creation of a third chilled water plant adjacent to the new chilled water tank and the connection of the majority of the campus core to the central chilling system. For now, though, a new chiller tank will be installed to make sure the University can meet its peak load day. An example of a peak load day is when temperatures swelter at 95 degrees with 35 percent humidity. The goal is to make sure air conditioners are in working order in campus offices and classrooms while also protecting laboratories from fluctuating temperatures.

The new chiller tank will serve a critical need on the University of Idaho campus, especially in the research realm. It is a bond-funded project that began in fall 2008.

The project was recently featured on KLEW TV CBS 3 in Lewiston.  The story can be viewed by clicking this link.

Project Architect: CTA Architects Engineers

General Contractor: McKinstry Co.

Project Timeline: Spring 2009-Fall 2009

Paradise Creek Street Bridge Deck Repair

Paradise Creek Street is actually a bridge over the channelized portion of Paradise Creek from Line Street to just beyond Rayburn Street.  The bridge was originally installed as part of the Wallace Residence Center project which was built in the late 1960's.  The bridge now requires repair and replacement of some of the structural elements to ensure safe driving conditions. 

This project includes the removal and replacement of deteriorated portions of the concrete deck.  Selected locations that have failed are being replaced in addition to two of the precast concrete tees that support the concrete deck. 

Project Engineer: Keltic Engineering

General Contractor: A&R Construction

Project Timeline: Summer 2009-Fall 2009