Carver construction: Project update

Construction continues on the carver Academic Facility construction project on Western Washington University’s Bellingham campus. This week, Western Today asked Ed Simpson, the assistant director of Facilities Development & Capital Budget at WWU, for more information on the project. Simpson, an architect who has worked at Western for more than 26 years, has been developing and budgeting for the Carver Project for the past decade.

The Carver project is currently undergoing installation of structural framing and concrete floor systems as well as mechanical and electric rough-in, including things like electrical conduit and piping that will be concealed in walls and above ceilings, Simpson said.

“By the end of July, the exterior skin, which is largely a glass storefront system, will start to be installed,” Simpson said.

Simpson projects that the project will be approximately 60 to 70 percent complete by fall. He hopes the building will be up and operational for spring 2017 commencement, he said.

“The most exciting part for me is getting it done,” Simpson said. “We’re anxious to have it done and people using it.”

Many departments within Health and Human Development and Athletics have had to relocate due to the construction. The project includes replacement of the building center section with a three-story addition and wrapping the east and south sides with new structure and glass windows and other exterior openings. The project will address urgently needed seismic reinforcement throughout the facility, replace numerous aging building systems, provide improved disabled access to classrooms, labs and offices, and allow for much better use of academic spaces.

“Incoming freshmen this fall can look forward to watching the development of a building built like no other on campus,” he said.

Live video feeds of the construction project are available on the project website from the WWU Office of Facilities Development and Capital Budget.

For questions or concerns about the project, contact Dale Krause, construction coordinator, at 360-650-4646 or dale.krause@wwu.edu. Additional information is available on the project website.

One rendering of the completed building, as seen from Bond Hall.
A rendering of the completed addition as seen from the area near the Fine Arts Building.