University of Arizona Applied Research Building Now Open

Posted June 5, 2023 by 123doorshield-admin & filed under Construction Protection Systems.

People often compliment the intelligence of a person by calling them a “rocket scientist.” But for a certain group of students and faculty at the University of Arizona, that praise is now more literal thanks to the new Applied Research building, which opened on the campus just over a month ago.

The three story, 89,000 square foot building cost $85 million and was built with the purpose of continuing the university’s research into space science and related fields of study.

Background

The university began the design-build process back in fall 2019, with groundbreaking occurring in June 2021 and the ribbon cutting taking place April 2023. SmithGroup and McCarthy Building companies served as the design-build partners on the project. Other important development team members included Comfort Systems, Magnum Paving, Dibble Corporation, Sturgeon Electric, Sextant, Colin Gordon, Speedy and Associates, and Martin, White & Griffis Structural Engineers.

A State-of-the-Art Facility

The Applied Research Building is quite innovative in that it’s the first in the country to house all research spaces related to the fabrication and testing of satellites in one integrated facility. The facility provides the students and faculty with the unique ability to pair applied research capabilities with state-of-the-art technology and equipment. Meanwhile, it has brought together several interdisciplinary programs under one roof.

One of the goals for the facility is to advance research in optics, space exploration, manufacturing, and other areas while turning those findings into practical real-world solutions. The building is made up of eight key facilities. Here’s some more information about these eight components:

Thermal Vacuum Chamber

When nanosatellites are launched into space, they encounter vastly different conditions than they do here on Earth, particularly in regard to temperature and pressure. This chamber can simulate the pressure and temperature conditions found in space, allowing the researchers to evaluate a nanosatellite before it’s launched to ensure it’s up to the task.

Anechoic Chamber

This nonreflective, echo-free room is built with radio-wave-absorbing material designed to keep sound waves from bouncing. The conditions allow researchers to test satellite antennae for command, control, and data relay performance.

Laboratory for Advanced and Additive Manufacturing

This lab uses state-of-the-art digital fabrication techniques to create complex materials that contain on-demand properties that cannot be achieved using conventional manufacturing methods. This will enable collaboration among multiple other departments within the university.

Imaging Technology Laboratory

This lab is a world-leading supplier of advanced scientific imaging sensors for visible, ultraviolet, and x-ray detection. This technology is often used in the fields of astronomy, satellite imagery, and the manufacturing of electronic devices.

Mission Operations Center

After spacecraft and balloons are launched, they have to be monitored from thousands, or even millions of miles away. This center equips the university with the computers, networks, and software needed to do the job from the building.

The CubeSat Laboratory

This lab is a space where nanosatellites, often called CubeSats, will be fabricated, as will small space instruments. The lab is designed to maximize reliability of space hardware due to the clean environment it provides for assembly.

Space Materials Curation Facility

This facility will house materials that are used to differentiate between natural and artificial objects in the Earth-Moon system. This will include rocket body paint samples, mylar metals, solar cells, and related items used for building and coating satellites and spacecrafts, as well as a representative set of meteorites.

High Bay Facility

With 40-foot ceilings, this facility appears as a warehouse. Instead, it will offer scientists and engineers a place to assemble high-altitude stratospheric balloons, which are used for such purposes as providing weather data and transmitting information on atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind speed.

At Construction Protection Systems, we’re proud to have played a small part in the development of the University of Arizona Applied Research Building. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system

Orlando Health Emergency Room in Davenport Now Open

Posted April 25, 2023 by 123doorshield-admin & filed under Construction Protection Systems.

No one wants to spend time in an emergency room, but when you absolutely need medical attention, you’ll be glad to have one nearby. The people of Davenport, FL now have that luxury now. One year ago, Orlando Health Emergency Room – Reunion Village opened after years of planning and construction.

For a year now, the medical professionals at the facility have been treating the patients of Central Florida. Here’s some more information on how the facility came to be:

Planning and Construction

Orlando Health acquired a 28-acre piece of land in Northwest Osceola County in early 2019. The company did so with the intention of building a standalone emergency room to serve Davenport and the surrounding communities. The property is conveniently located along Interstate 4. It’s part of a larger 108-acre mixed use development project called Reunion Village, featuring retail locations, upscale dining, and residential properties. Charles Perry Partners Inc. managed the construction work, which was completed in early 2022.

Orlando Health Emergency Room

The free-standing emergency room opened its doors on May 2, 2022. Since then, it’s been open 24 hours per day and seven days per week. The facility is staffed by board-certified emergency room physicians, registered nurses, and other clinicians, all of whom are helping to meet the growing need for emergency services driven by the rapidly increasing population in the area.

The 12,000 square foot emergency room was meticulously designed to treat patients seeking emergency care for serious or life-threatening conditions in an efficient and high-quality manner. There are 11 treatment rooms, a specially designed resuscitation room, a fully operational lab for testing and imaging services such as ultrasound, CT scan, and X-Ray.

The complex also features an oversized ambulance bay that can accommodate multiple EMS units and a helipad for flight transfers. Patients who need additional care can be easily transferred to Orlando Health Horizon West Hospital a short drive away.

At Construction Protection Systems, we’re proud to have played a small part in development of the Orlando Health Emergency Room – Reunion Village. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.

Second Phase of UGA STEM Research Complex Complete

Posted March 27, 2023 by 123doorshield-admin & filed under Commercial Construction.

The final phase of a two-phase project to create a new Interdisciplinary Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (I-STEM) Research Complex at the University of Georgia was completed in August 2022. The STEM students of UGA are now in their second semester of utilizing the state-of-the-art I-STEM Research Building 2.

The building joins the I-STEM Research Building 1 to complete the new research complex. Construction began on the first phase of the project in 2018 and took just over three years to complete. In total, the new complex will add more than 200,000 square feet of space for both research and instruction. Here’s some more information about this innovative research complex:

The Overall Project

The two-phase project, which took years of planning and construction, cost a total of $143.6 million. The project was funded by a combination of state bonds and institutional funds. Construction of the second building began in December 2020 while the first phase was still under construction.

The first building opened on Nov. 30, 2021, while the ceremonial ribbon cutting for building 2 took place on Aug. 24, 2022. The complex replaces the previous chemistry building, which dated back nearly 50 years and was no longer able to adequately host the kind of research and instruction going on inside. Turner Construction Company oversaw the construction work.

The new buildings are not the only upgrades happening in the world of University of Georgia science. The university is also working on modernizing existing facilities on the South Campus, such as the original Chemistry Building and the Biological Sciences Building. The overall goal is to support a growing research enterprise at the university by enhancing collaboration among engineering and chemistry researchers and those in the life sciences, biomedicine, agriculture, and computer science fields.

Building I

The first phase of the project involved constructing a 100,000 square foot research building. The structure contains flexible, open lab spaces that are meant to promote collaboration among students. The space is also designed to expand lab-intensive research activities in the fields of engineering, chemistry, and material sciences.

Building 1, which itself cost about $79.6 million, features three levels of laboratories, support space, and a four-story parking deck underground. The building currently houses roughly 30 faculty members and more than 100 graduate students. These students and professors are working in fields such as cell imaging microfluid separation, medical robotics, and combustion chemistry.

Building II

Building 2 is roughly 101,000 square feet and cost about $64 million to build. It features three levels of open lab space and an 88-seat classroom. The building is now home to dozens of students and faculty in the STEM fields, specifically in the areas of chemistry and engineering. Examples of the research being done in Building 2 include medical device materials that reduce the risk of infections and blood clots and the role of cell membranes in the development of antibiotic resistance to increase the effectiveness of antibiotics in the future.

At the dedication of the second building last August, University President Jere W. Morehead thanked Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, the Georgia General Assembly, and the Board of Regents for their role in bringing this years-long project to fruition. Kemp, speaking at the dedication of the first building in 2021, called the STEM workforce training infrastructure the “envy of the nation.”

At Construction Protection Systems, we’re proud to have played a small part in development of the Interdisciplinary Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (I-STEM) Research Complex at the University of Georgia. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.

Wildflower Farms in Hudson Valley Now Open to Guests

Posted March 15, 2023 by 123doorshield-admin & filed under Construction Protection Systems.

Wildflower Farms, of the Auberge Resorts Collection, opened its doors to guests for the first time in Oct. 2022. The Hudson Valley luxury hotel is located on a 140-acre retreat in Gardiner, New York, just 90 minutes from New York City.

The resort, which was built by PC Construction Company, offers a comfortable, quiet, and luxurious experience for guests looking to get away and enjoy nature. Here’s what guests of Wildflower Farms can look forward to:

Accommodations

Guests are initially greeted on the Great Porch, which is an open-air lobby that doubles as a living room adorned with botanical-inspired art and antiques. They are then taken to one of 65 free-standing accommodations, which feature modern furnishings, stand-alone soaking tubs, and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that open to a private deck. These were designed by architects Electric Bowery and design studio Ward and Gray with the idea of maximum indoor-outdoor living in mind, as nature is central to the experience at the resort.

Dining and Relaxation

Guests are able to enjoy source-origin cuisine thanks to the onsite farm the resort’s restaurant, Clay, uses to grow ingredients. They source seasonal vegetables, fruit, and local protein to serve to guests. But the amenities go far beyond just eating. The resort also features a Spa called Thistle. The facility, which is more than 9,000 square feet, contains five single rooms and one couples retreat room, each with a seasonal treatment menu. There are also outdoor hot tubs, an indoor saltwater pool, and an apothecary.

Other Experiences

For guests who find their relaxation in other forms, there’s also The Pavillion, a 3,000 square foot fitness studio, constructed entirely from wood joinery. The resort also features a three-mile walking trail that connects the various buildings, in addition to an outdoor pool.

Guests also have the opportunity to join interactive experiences at Maplehouse, which is a farm education center that holds weekly cooking classes hosted by professional chefs. Other outdoor experiences include farming organic vegetables, picnics, and foraging.

At Construction Protection Systems, we’re proud to have played a small part in development of Wildflower Farms. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.

Second Season of Nashville SC Soccer to Kick Off at Geodis Park

Posted January 26, 2023 by 123doorshield-admin & filed under Construction Protection Systems.

We’re just about a month away from the kickoff of the second Nashville Soccer Club (SC) season played at Geodis Park. The biggest soccer-only stadium in North American opened last year, securing the future of one of the newest teams in Major League Soccer.

Getting the stadium built was no small feat and there were certainly setbacks over the years. But with all that in the rear-view mirror, Nashville SC faithful can now enjoy the second season in a state-of-the-art soccer stadium. Here is a brief overview of how we got to this point, along with a look at what the stadium offers fans:

Nashville SC’s Background

While Nashville has had some level of professional soccer for many years, the idea to bring big-time pro soccer to the city began in earnest in 2016. In May of that year, the USL Championship Division announced the addition of a Nashville squad. The following year, before the team had even played a game, the franchise was acquired by billionaire businessman John Ingram, with the purpose of putting in a bid for an MLS team.

By December of 2017, the MLS had announced that Nashville would join the league as the 24^th team. With a stadium in the works, the plan initially was for the team to play two years in the USL Championship Division before joining the MLS with a fully ready stadium in 2020. While the stadium wasn’t completed by 2020, the team would join the MLS for the COVID-shortened 2020 season. The team has acclimated quickly, qualifying for the MLS Cup playoffs each of the past two years. Now, they’re preparing to host New York City FC in the season opener Feb. 25.

Stadium Timeline

In the early stages of planning the stadium, the estimated cost was $275 million and would be located at the Nashville Fairgrounds. The plan to finance the stadium evolved over the years as a mayoral scandal led to three different mayors occupying city hall in just over 18 months. The initial 2020 open date was pushed back to 2022 as the larger plan for redeveloping the fairgrounds also evolved over the years. There was also some pushback from local leaders about the use of the fairgrounds and even a lawsuit to block the construction, which was eventually thrown out.

By early 2020, Nashville SC and new Nashville mayor John Cooper had reached an agreement to immediately begin the construction process at the fairgrounds. As part of the agreement, Ingram agreed to finance 100% of the project cost, including infrastructure around the stadium. Additionally, Ingram and the team were given 10 acres at the fairgrounds for mixed-use development. In the meantime, the budget increased to the $325 to $345 million range.

The demolition portion of the project began in March 2020 and construction began soon after. Mortenson and Messer Construction was responsible for the work. Kansas City firm Populous did the design work.

The Stadium

Construction work on the stadium was completed in April 2022. The team played the first two months of the season entirely on the road after playing two years at Nissan Stadium. Geodis, a transport, logistics, and supply-chain management firm bought the naming rights to the stadium ahead of the home opener on May 1, 2022.

The 30,000-seat stadium features six lounges, two dozen box suites, and a dedicated supporter’s entrance on the north side of the structure. There’s a 360-degree canopy, a 65-foot-wide shared concourse, and a standing supporter’s section. The distance between the touchline and the last row of seats is only 150 feet so literally everyone is close to the action. The area around the stadium is designed to incorporate both the tailgating and music scene the city is known for. With these amenities and the early success on the pitch, it’s no wonder the franchise was able to sell more than 23,000 season tickets in its first year at the venue.

At Construction Protection Systems, we’re proud to have played a small part in development of Geodis Park. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.

AC Hotel by Marriott in Chesterfield, MO Opens to Guests

Posted December 21, 2022 by 123doorshield-admin & filed under Commercial Construction.

The AC Hotel by Marriott in Chesterfield, MO is in the midst of its first-ever holiday season in business. The hotel first opened its doors in late March after two years of delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues. A grand opening event was held in May, and the hotel has been fully operational ever since. Here are a few things to know about the long-awaited project:

The New Hotel

The construction of the hotel was originally announced back in 2019 as part of the $80 million Wildhorse Mixed Use Development project in Chesterfield, MO. The development also includes 188 luxury apartments, a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse with a rooftop bar, a Fidelity branch, and a Christina White Salon. The restaurant stretches more than 15,000 square feet while the retail space, which is fully leased, takes up about 10,000 square feet.

The hotel was the final piece of the puzzle, as the other parts of the project were completed by the end of 2021. It features 128 rooms and anchors the east end of the development. The 81,521 square foot AC Hotel boasts a litany of desirable features. There’s an upscale lobby bar that offers specialty cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, as well as 5,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The kitchen’s menu features European-style breakfast offerings, such as hand-shaved prosciutto and freshly baked croissants. Those who visit the AC Lounge can expect a specially curated cocktail, wine, and beer list as well as a tapas-inspired menu in the evening.

AC Hotels by Marriott

This is the first ever AC Hotel by Marriott in St. Louis County. The brand is a subsidiary of Marriott International, known for its upscale nature. The food and drinks offered are more refined and the design is more minimalist and modern. These hotels can be found in more than a dozen countries across five continents and are popping up rapidly throughout North America.

The AC Hotel by Marriott in Chesterfield resulted from a partnership between real estate private equity firm Great Lakes Capital and Schahet Hotels LLC, both based out of Indiana. Brinkmann Construction was responsible for the construction work.

At Construction Protection Systems, we’re proud to have played a small part in development of the AC Hotel by Marriott in Chesterfield, MO. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.

Timashev Family Music Building Now Open at Ohio State University’s Emerging Arts District

Posted November 30, 2022 by 123doorshield-admin & filed under Commercial Construction.

For the past three months, students at Ohio State University have been making use of the new Timashev Family Music Building. The state-of-the-art facility opened when the fall semester began in August after a multi-year planning and construction period. The new center is actually part of a larger project in the Arts District of the Columbus, Ohio campus. When the entire project is complete, the new Arts District will serve as a “front door” to the campus.

The Timashev Family Music Building

Plans for a new music building on the Ohio State campus date back a decade. The design process began in earnest in May 2018 and construction work began in summer 2019. The work was completed in March 2022, and the building opened for classes five months later.
Holder Construction was responsible for the construction work, while DLR Group and Robert A.M. Stern Architects served as design architects. Sara Lytle was the overall project manager, while Jasmine Myles served as the project accountant.

The five-story, 96,000 square foot structure contains classrooms, performance spaces, studios, and offices. There’s also a lower level for mechanical and “back-of-house” operations. The building will feature a 195-seat recital hall, joining the existing 720-seat Weigel Auditorium next door. Other benefits include improved acoustics throughout, a large ensemble rehearsal space, studios for jazz and percussion, and a new practice room for students.

One of the many features of the Timashev Family Music Building is it is now able to house all of the music department’s faculty, staff, and students under one roof. Prior to this year, they were split between two other buildings on campus. The spacious new lobby will connect the building to a renovated Weigel Hall, one of the other music buildings on campus.

Last month, the building held its first ever concert, which was preceded by an open house where guests were able to tour the new space. The building was named after Ohio State alum Ratmir Timashev ’96, who donated $17 million toward the project. It was the largest gift in the history of the university. Timashev is the co-founder of Columbus-based cloud data management firm, Veeam Software. Mr. Timashev also previously donated $5 million to Ohio State University’s College of Arts and Sciences.

The Larger Project

The new Timashev Family Music Building is just one part of a larger project to revamp the campus’s Arts District at an expected price tag of more than $165 million. As mentioned, another finished aspect of the project is the renovation of Weigel Auditorium, which previously housed much of the school of music.

Meanwhile, construction of the Department of Theater, Film, and Media Arts building is still ongoing. The new building, which has not yet been named, was planned alongside the Timashev Family Music Building. It followed the same design and planning timeline as the music building, but construction did not begin until Nov. 2020. Construction will continue through the early part of 2023 and will open for classes sometime soon after that.

When completed, the new building will allow the faculty, students, and staff of the theater, film, and media arts to join the emerging Arts District. Currently, they are located a 20-minute walk away from the District. The new building will also be five stories and will include classroom, performance, offices, and studio space with a lower level for mechanical and back-of-house operations.

The structure will also feature multiple state-of-the-art performance spaces, including a 450-seat proscenium theatre and thrust/black box theatre. There will also be New Works Lab for experimental productions, a lighting lab, costume shop, and a design studio. The building will contain two sound stages, editing suites, a sound lab, and a screening room, as well as spaces for students studying film, moving image production, and media arts.

At Construction Protection Systems, we are proud to have played a small part in the development of Ohio State University’s Timashev Family Music Building. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.

Harrah’s Cherokee Hotel and Casino Completes Addition

Posted October 26, 2022 by 123doorshield-admin & filed under Commercial Construction.

Harrah’s Cherokee Hotel and Casino in Cherokee, N.C. recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of a major expansion project at the already-sprawling complex. The resort added a fourth hotel tower, The Cherokee, along with an 83,000 square foot convention center, which both opened in mid-October 2021. This expansion has significantly enhanced the resort’s meeting and convention capability while allowing it to take on the increased number of guests.

The Construction Project

The project broke ground in June 2018 but had multiple delays due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, ultimately taking more than three and a half years to finish. Whiting Turner completed the construction work at a cost of $330 million.

The New Space

The new, three-level convention center more than triples the size of the resort’s former meeting space. It includes a 32,000 square foot ballroom, a pre-function ballroom, an exhibition hall, and 26 meeting spaces.

When it comes to the new hotel tower, calling it massive would be an understatement. The tower is 19 stories tall, featuring 725 rooms and seven suites. The design of the indoor space features accents of charcoal gray, burnt sienna, and golden hues with both eucalyptus and walnut woods.

The open-air, two-story lobby contains a 50-seat bar and lounge, which features a blue marble wall with cascading bottles of wine. The registration desk, which stretches more than 30 feet long, is another example of the impeccable design detailing in the project. Made of onyx stone in front of a slatted walnut wood design, it is lit to create a representation of the Smoky Mountains.

The second floor of the tower features a terrace pool and fitness center with breathtaking views of the mountains. Additionally, there are two 800 square foot suites with full kitchens and private pool access.

At Construction Protection Systems, we’re proud to have played a small part in development of Harrah’s Cherokee Hotel and Casino’s expansion project. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.

Ball State’s Foundational Sciences Building Celebrates One Year

Posted September 27, 2022 by 123doorshield-admin & filed under Commercial Construction.

Saturday will mark the one-year anniversary of the ceremonial ribbon cutting for Ball State University’s new Foundational Sciences Building. The construction of the new academic building is part of a multi-step process to replace the aging Cooper Science Building while also increasing the university’s capacity to handle STEM students. Students who take courses in biology and chemistry are now in their second year of enjoying the amenities offered by the new Foundational Sciences Building.

The New Building

Although the ceremonial ribbon cutting was held just about a year ago, the biology and chemistry departments of Ball State University actually transferred from the Cooper Science Building to the Foundational Sciences Building in June 2021. The fall semester began a few months later. The construction process was a rather smooth one that continued through the COVID-19 pandemic. Groundbreaking for the new building, located on the campus’ East Quad took place in early September 2019. Shiel Sexton performed the construction work for the project, which cost $87.5 million in total and was internally funded by the university.

The five story structure spans more than 205,000 square feet. It features 72 laboratories in total – 28 for teaching and 44 for research purposes. There are also six classrooms, an imaging suite, conference rooms, a research library, computer labs, collaborative spaces, an aquatics suite, and faculty and graduate offices.

There are areas throughout the building where students can learn beyond the classroom, featuring comfortable seating, rolling whiteboards, and interactive screens. The amenities represent a significant upgrade over the previously used Cooper Science building, allowing both students and faculty to be on the cutting edge of both education and research. As an added bonus, the new building has some of the best views on campus.

The roughly 900 chemistry and biology students of the Ball State University will be able to benefit from the increased space, new equipment, and more places to study. Compared to the old building, the Foundational Sciences Building offers students far more space to collaborate, study together, and work between classes. According to the university’s website, the design of the building was developed with several goals in mind. These included planning for flexibility and long-term change, wellness and sustainability, planning for potential future expansion, and allowing for easier cross-collaboration between departments.

A Larger Vision

The construction of the new Foundational Sciences Building was not a standalone project, it was part of a larger vision of Ball State University. The school is trying to help accommodate the growing need for STEM professionals in both Indiana and workplaces across the country, while doing a wholesale revamp of the East Quad of the Campus.

The first phase of the plan was complete when a new Health Professionals Building opened just south of the eventual location of the Foundational Sciences Building in 2019. The 165,000 square foot building houses the university’s College of Health. The brick, glass, and limestone structure cost roughly $62.5 million to build and features classrooms, offices, laboratories, clinical spaces, a resource hub, and simulation labs.

The third and final phase of the project is ongoing and involves renovating part of the Cooper Science Building while also demolishing another part of it. The current renovations are taking place in the west end of the building and encompass a total of 160,000 square feet. The newly-renovated space will house the geography, geology, astronomy, physics, natural resources, and environmental management. The renovation is scheduled to be completed in April 2023. After that, the 130,000 square foot east end of the structure will be demolished in December 2023.

At Construction Protection Systems, we’re proud to have played a small part in development of Ball State University’s new Foundational Sciences Building. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.

George Washington University’s Thurston Hall Reopens to Students

Posted August 29, 2022 by 123doorshield-admin & filed under Construction Protection Systems.

George Washington University’s oldest and largest residence hall reopened last week, welcoming new students for the first time in three years. These students will be walking into a building that bears little resemblance to the one that last housed students in 2019.

The building has undergone massive renovations over the course of a two-year construction project that cost an estimated $80 million. Here is a little bit more information on the project and the final product:

The Timeline

As the oldest resident hall on campus, Thurston began to develop a negative reputation for issues with mold and general disrepair. In 2018, the university announced there would be renovations. Over the following year-plus, the key consultants involved worked on the design process and coordinated where to house students during the construction process. The work, which was completed by Clark Construction, began in May 2020. VMDO Architecture led the design process.

The New and Improved Building

Thurston Hall now has the capacity to house up to 825 students, spread among single and double rooms. There are sixteen study lounges, all equipped with new furniture and natural light. The building will also feature a new dining hall, which is set to open within the next month. This new dining space will offer students the option of paying via facial recognition technology.

In general, there is more space for students. The hallways are wider, the rooms are larger, the new elevators are more spacious. Each floor has its own kitchen, laundry room and private, gender-neutral bathroom.

Among the new amenities is an enclosed rooftop common room that offers students a view of all of the monuments and landmarks in our nation’s capital. Additionally, at the center of the building, there is a “three-season atrium” with plentiful greenspace, giving students a place to gather, study and relax.

The new Thurston Hall also affords alumni and other donors the opportunity to be a permanent part of the new building. The school is offering the option of buying a tile with your name on it, which will appear in a GW mosaic in the lobby of the residence.

At Construction Protection Systems, we are proud to have played a small part in development of the renovation of George Washington University’s Thurston Hall. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.