MADISON, Wis. -- September 28, 2001 -- ACT Inc., the company best known for the college entrance exam, has selected Flad & Associates to design a new 170,000-square-foot research and development building for their main campus in Iowa City, Iowa. Flad is also providing campus master planning and programming for ACT.

This new facility will be the third building constructed on the 240-acre ACT site and will be located in proximity to the two existing buildings. The overall site concept is to create multiple clusters of buildings organized around and linked to common spaces by pedestrian routes. Flad proposed a site plan that clusters the new office, cafeteria, and meeting center buildings around a central courtyard, which helps define a formal outdoor space.

The 171,000 square foot facility on North Dodge Street in Iowa City, Iowa, will include offices, conference rooms for up to 125 people, kitchen and dining facilities for the entire campus, and parking for an additional 250 vehicles. The anticipated design is an open plan concept with flexible and integrated workspaces.

Besides its college entrance and placement exam, ACT also researches and develops assessments and career planning programs for middle school and high school students, college students and postsecondary institutions, businesses and adult learners. The company is also establishing a nationwide network of ACT Centers, providing testing and training services to help businesses train a qualified workforce, and to help adults achieve career goals. ACT employs 1,150 full- and part-time employees in 11 states, with the majority based in Iowa City, Iowa.

Other team members include Affiliated Engineers (mechanical/electrical engineering), Flad Structural Engineers (structural engineering), Shive-Hattery (civil engineering) and McComas-Lacina (general contractor). (see addresses for these below)

Ground was broken in September 2001, and construction is slated to be complete in May 2003. ACT spokesperson Will Valet can be contacted at 319-337-1028.

Flad & Associates and Flad Structural Engineers 644 Science Drive Madison WI 53711

ACT Inc. 2201 North Dodge Street Iowa City, IA 52243

Affiliated Engineers 625 North Segoe Madison WI 53705

McComas-Lacina Construction 1310 Highland Court Iowa City, IA 52240

Shive-Hattery 2834 Northgate Drive Iowa City, Iowa 52245-9568 (319) 354-3040

For more information, please contact: Laura Stillman at (608) 238-2661