DALLAS — Facility administrators and vendors gathered for the 9th semi-annual Educational Facilities Forum from Oct. 9 through Oct. 11 in Dallas, Texas.
Featuring a ‘no-hard sell’ environment, the forum kicked off Sunday evening with a meet and greet, followed by the official welcome Monday morning and a launch directly into one-on-one meetings between administrators and vendors to discuss specific needs and services.
Middough Inc., an engineering, architectural and management services company, welcomes Joseph S. Veselka and Carl E. Wendell to the firm. Combined, these two have more than 50 years of CM experience and were recruited to enhance and improve the capabilities of the company’s facilities management and major projects groups.
Dero, a manufacturer of bike commuting, parking and storage appliances, recently released its latest product: Zap. A solar-powered, automated Radio Frequency Identification system with integrated hardware and software, the system is ideal for managing and monitoring bike commuting. Its RFI systems identify eligible automobiles for single-occupancy drivers who pay for the privilege of using high occupancy vehicle lanes on highways.
Core by AmericanSeating is designed for comfort and engineered for the environment. The unit has a width of 19 inches to 24 inches and a height of 33.4 inches to 36.5 inches. It is designed for sustainability and structural integrity, according to the company. Metal components are engineered using high-tensile-strength steel and meet or exceed all industry test standards, according to the company. The self-rising, gravity lift seat design is maintenance free. According to the company, the engineered copolymer seat, back and arm coverings are durable, attractive, and easy to clean.
The AirRenew gypsum board by Certain Teed was designed to help improve indoor air quality. The product captures harmful volatile organic compounds and converts them into safe, inert compounds that remain within the board for up to 75 years. Featuring M2Tech technology, AirRenew is also engineered to provide enhanced protection against moisture and mold. It can be finished with water-based acrylic and epoxy paints or breathable wallpaper, and can ultimately be recycled just as a regular gypsum board.
Middough Inc., an engineering, architectural and management services company, welcomes Carl E. Wendell and Joseph S. Veselka to the firm. Combined, these two have more than 50 years of CM experience and were recruited to enhance and improve the capabilities of the company’s facilities management and major projects groups.
JBA Consulting Engineers Inc., an international architectural, construction and engineering consulting agency, announces Vic Sibilla as the firm’s new director for the Orange County office. As director, Sibilla will manage operations while also providing strategic advisory services for the hospitality, health care, aviation, theatrical, residential, educational, mixed-use and office market sectors.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — With an enrollment of just over 49,000, the University of Florida in Gainesville is packed with students taking up every available classroom, study hall and library space on its historic tree-lined campus.
“Our enrollment has actually plateaued over the last few years and we are holding it there on purpose,” remarks Ed Poppell, UF vice-president for business affairs.
TWYFORD, England — International contracting and support services firm Interserve recently introduced a modular classroom kit that the company claims can cut the cost of building a new school by 25 percent. The environmentally friendly kits, called PodSolves, consist of steel framing that comes together to form flexible classroom units.
Budgets are tight in today’s tough economic climate and colleges and universities, like all institutions, are squeezed for funding. But the demand for new facilities — student housing and expanded student facilities — continues to grow. The challenge is to maximize every construction dollar spent.
