Industry News

Homasote, a recycled building product manufacturer, announced in January of 2009 that it has earned another certification proving the green benefits of using Homasote products, which are made from post-consumer recycled paper. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), a non-profit organization devoted to encouraging the responsible management of the world’s forests, has certified Homasote under recently extended certification criteria that now includes firms whose products are made from post-consumer materials.

Glendale Community College opened its 63,000-sf Life Sciences Building in Glendale, Ariz., in January of 2009. Supporting instruction in biology, nursing, and psychology, the three-story facility was designed by GouldEvans and built by DPR Construction. The sustainably-designed project houses classrooms, 72 faculty offices, nine biology labs, four nursing training suites, a greenhouse, meeting rooms, and a vivarium.

The University of Kentucky is planning to construct the $18.6 million Davis Marksbury Building in Lexington. Housing research in visualization, computer science, and electrical and computer engineering, the building represents Phase II of the Digital Village complex. The 25,000-sf project will provide space for the UK Center for Visualization and Virtual Environments, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the Department of Computer Science.

Novus International’s new 90,000-sf global headquarters is slated for completion in early spring of 2009. Novus, an animal health and nutrition company, will consolidate its research and administrative operations in the $20 million facility. Sited in the Missouri Research Park in St. Charles, the project involved renovation of Novus’ existing 42,000-sf building and the addition of 48,000 sf. General contractor Clayco of St. Louis initiated construction in August of 2007 on the facility, which includes 10 laboratories, offices, and a training center.

The University of Iowa opened the 35,000-sf BioVentures Center in Coralville in January of 2009. Located in the UI Research Park, the business incubator features 20 wet labs, 16 offices, shared equipment rooms, and conference rooms for biotechnology and life science companies. Supporting the commercialization of research discoveries, the $8.5 million facility was designed by OPN Architects and built by Ryan Companies, both of Cedar Rapids. Construction began in November of 2007 and reached substantial completion in November of 2008.