Masonry Magazine April 2009 Page. 34
BRICK
exterior piers. The brick helps create comfortable nooks that encourage the spontaneous meetings and informal collaboration preferred by the University Center audience. "The design allows learning to extend beyond the traditional classroom," says Schnadt.
Partnering, pioneering
PLANNING, DESIGNING AND BUILDING one facility for a college or university is challenging," says Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) senior project manager Bruce A. Locke, "but going through that process for one facility that has 18 colleges and universities represented - that was a very special and unique challenge."
Such was the challenge that the design and construction team overcame. The project required a tremendous amount of teamwork between the CDB, the University Center, the College of Lake County, Legat Architects, Steve Brubaker (design consultant), HOK (design consultant), and the contractors (led by general contractor Henry Bros. Co.). The University Center provided strong leadership through an Architectural Review Committee, which balanced input from all parties. As the CDB project manager, Locke was diligent in keeping the project moving forward. "We knew from the beginning that the use of brick would be a critical factor in meeting our demands regarding budget, quality and schedule," he says.
Because of the successful partnering of all these entities, the University Center became the only project to win the Thomas H. Madigan Award for Outstanding New Construction in CDB's 2006 "Pride in Partnership" competition. "The University Center is a symbol of the highest level of collaboration between higher education providers and the community," says Bryan Watkins, UC board chairman and executive director for the Institute for Adult Learning at Dominican University.
Hollow Brick: 101
How well do you understand hollow brick? Traditionally, the size and number of holes in a brick unit have varied, based on manufacturer capabilities, the type of clay being extruded, the type of firing process, and the intended use of the product. These various hole patterns were categorized into two basic designations: solid brick and hollow brick. Solid brick are defined as having holes (or voids) not greater than 25 percent of the unit's bed area. Hollow brick are defined as having greater than 25 percent and, at most, 60 percent void areas. Hollow brick are further classified into those with a void area not greater than 40 percent and those with greater than 40 percent voids. In today's construction, the majority of hollow brick produced is used in two basic applications.
The first is in reinforced or unreinforced, single-wythe structural walls. Hollow brick units provide both the structural component and the brick finish without the need for additional materials. Hollow bricks for this type of use generally range in size from four to eight inches in nominal thickness, with void areas in the 35 percent to 60 percent range. Typical, single-wythe applications of hollow brick include commercial, retail and residential buildings; hotels; schools; noise barrier walls; and retaining walls. The second application of hollow brick is as veneer units. These bricks are generally three to four inches in nominal thickness, with vold areas typically between about 26 percent and 35 percent (source: Brick Industry Association Tech Note 41).
The decision to incorporate this material could mean a savings of the both material and fuel used to make the bricks. Pollutants are reduced during the firing of the bricks, and shipping the material is cheaper, due to a reduced weight. You can keep up with changes in the specs and characteristics of hollow brick and all brick materials by visiting www.gobrick.com. MAS
Triumph of contrasts
TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS and Midwestern strength. Curving bands and clean lines. A vibrant atrium with views to an open prairie. Metal and brick. The University Center of Lake County is a triumph of contrasts, and its formula has been effective. "The center admirably fulfills our mission of providing higher education to placebound students," says Schnadt. "It creates a county hub for academic and professional enhancement, while enhancing our visibility." IMAS
Douglas J. Ogurek, LEED AP, is a member of the higher education team at Legat Architects. He may be reached at 847-406-1141 or dogurek@egat.com. The Voice of the Masonry Industry