Commercial Geothermal Gains Momentum
By Austin KeatingOriginally posted to The ACHR News New research reveals growing acceptance of geothermal HVAC among commercial facility managers A comprehensive survey reveals the growing momentum of commercial geothermal HVAC, with one in four facility managers already adopting the technology and industry experts predicting continued expansion driven by tax incentives, energy efficiency, and technological advancements. Commercial contractors are seeing increased interest in geothermal HVAC … Continue reading Commercial Geothermal Gains Momentum
Shop Spotlight: Laborers Prep Work at VetMed
In order to do a new parking lot at F27, F&S laborers are amongst the first to go on-site. Their work includes the prep work between when old cement and asphalt and broken up and sent off, and the new layer is poured. Among other activities, laborers make sure to measure, shovel, drive implements, and generally, distribute the base layer of rock, which needs to … Continue reading Shop Spotlight: Laborers Prep Work at VetMed
Shop Spotlight: Electricians Keep the Score
Ah, sports! There’s speed, strength, balance, timing and guts… but there’s also that fun scoreboard that may keep kids occupied or hype up the crazies. Without the F&S electricians shop, those giant, colorful, engaging scoreboards wouldn’t operate. Although installed by Daktronics, a leader in scoreboards and video and digital signage, you need a primary source of electricity to light up the score, show hype videos, … Continue reading Shop Spotlight: Electricians Keep the Score
Shop Spotlight: Elevator Mechanics Talk Testing
When you’re an elevator mechanic, you’re always testing. That’s what these F&S experts do yearly at every one of the 360 cars, dumbwaiters, and chairlifts on campus. When testing, elevator mechanics basically want to make sure that governors, locks, brakes, and doors all operate as they should – the car shouldn’t go too high or too low, should stop at the right place when called, … Continue reading Shop Spotlight: Elevator Mechanics Talk Testing
CLMP: Main Quad District
Current Challenges Participants shared a desire for better Main Quad gathering spaces and made observations that some of the walkways and corridors leading into the main Quad are underutilized. Students expressed need for access to power outlets and Wi-Fi hubs to support their work. Additionally, planting new trees, filling hedge gaps, and adding ground cover can restore historic design, improve rainwater absorption, and enhance views … Continue reading CLMP: Main Quad District
CLMP: Industrial + Athletics District
Current Challenges Comprised of indoor and outdoor recreationalfacilities and set within large auto-oriented blocks,this district is largely vehicular oriented, characterized by large parking lots and open spaces with a lack of visual consistency and cohesive branding. Key entry points, like Neil Street and W. Kirby Avenue, are vital for campus events given the location of the State Farm Center, Memorial Stadium and the many athletics … Continue reading CLMP: Industrial + Athletics District
CLMP: South Quad District
Current Challenges The South Quad District is a pedestrian-oriented area with open lawns and walkways framed by large canopy trees, historically tied to the university’s agricultural legacy. The Campus Master Plan envisions significant infill development, reducing surface parking and reinforcing the quad framework by adding a new quad south of the ACES Library. Efforts to simplify the plant palette with native species have been limited. … Continue reading CLMP: South Quad District
A Greener University with the Campus Landscape Master Plan
The Campus Landscape Master Plan (CLMP) is a vision for a greener, more resilient campus at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Shaped by public input, it aims to create multi-functional outdoor spaces that not only foster collaboration, celebration, and gathering but are also welcoming, safe, and easy to maintain. The plan focuses on sustainability, preserving the university’s history, supporting biodiversity, and helping Illinois meet its … Continue reading A Greener University with the Campus Landscape Master Plan
We’re Doing WELL
The Sidney Lu Mechanical Engineering Building (MEB) completed a major transformation in 2022, including over 40,000 square feet added to instructional and research capabilities. It even got a new piece of public and interactive art. Leaders from the building and those in the mechanical science & engineering (MechSE) department, along with help from F&S, invested even more to reach WELL Platinum Certification. To accomplish WELL, … Continue reading We’re Doing WELL
Shop Spotlight: Painters ‘Mauve’ It at ISB
The previous color combination of interior painting at the International Studies Building (ISB) atrium, entryway, and main stairwell is either pink or mauve – a color combination popular in 1990, when ground was first broken there. But now, after the F&S painters finished up, the space is a little more welcoming to Illinois specifically, with new orange and blue tactfully chosen to accent the space, … Continue reading Shop Spotlight: Painters ‘Mauve’ It at ISB