Colorado State University’s Historical Industrial Sciences Building to be Remodeled with Contributions from Construction Industry Leaders

Colorado State University will launch the renovation of its historical Industrial Sciences Building at a ceremony at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, that marks unprecedented partnerships with industries and the university.

The building, constructed in 1883, will be completely renovated due to donations from 13 area construction and mechanical contracting firms. The renovation will feature a state-of-the-art preconstruction laboratory, classrooms, lecture hall, study lounge, technology center and public spaces. Several renovated rooms will bear the names of the firms that donated to give new life and a more useful future to one of the university’s historical landmarks.

"This project will prepare students to work in collaborative teams and integrated industry models, including concept, design, project management, estimating, marketing and presentation," said Mostafa Khattab, head of the Department of Construction Management. "Most important, students are seeing companies that are usually in competition come together in teamwork and collaboration for the benefit of the program."

Work is set to begin later this spring on this $4 million Preconstruction Center, all privately funded through donations and in-kind products and services.

Ed Haselden, president of Haselden Construction in Centennial and a member of the Board of Governors of the CSU System that oversees the university, led with the initial donation to renovate current classroom and laboratory space into the preconstruction laboratory, a space that will offer six large cubicle spaces for students to form their own "companies." These capstone experiences will prepare students to be industry-ready before their internships or employment after graduation.

"Ed Haselden demonstrated the same vision and determination in championing this project that he brings to his role on the Board of Governors," said Larry Edward Penley, president of Colorado State. "The industry leaders who have supported this center are investing in a well-educated, highly professional workforce that will be uniquely prepared to hit the ground running when they graduate, entering the professional world with the background to be successful and to contribute to the success of the construction industry overall."

Saunders Construction Inc., another Denver-area based company, will fund the renovation of old laboratory space into the preconstruction lecture hall. PCL Construction of Denver has committed funds for the Laurel Street entrance lobby and adjoining classroom. Hensel Phelps Construction of Greeley will fund the northwest classroom, and G.E. Johnson of Colorado Springs and Denver is sponsoring renovations to the lobby and entrance off CSU’s historic Oval. Gerald H. Phipps’ support will renovate a student study room in the heart of the building.

The second floor technology lab will be requested to be named for a group of mechanical contractors who are coming together to fund the building’s plumbing and heating operations. They include Mechanical Contractors Association, U.S. Engineering, Trautman and Shreve, Murphy Company and Braconier Plumbing and Heating.

Renovation of the courtyard off the Oval will be sponsored in partnership by Concrete Frame Associates and Valley Crest Landscaping of Denver.

"The common theme among all these companies is how industry and university can work together to benefit the construction management program and, ultimately, the students, who will come through the program uniquely prepared in this collaborative model," said April Mason, dean of the College of Applied Human Sciences.

Built during the historic period known as the Pioneer Era during 1870-1909, the Industrial Sciences building represents Colorado Agricultural College’s move toward a broad-based concept of education beyond the disciplines of Agricultural Studies. It is one of the few remaining structures from this period of campus development.

Formerly known as the Mechanic Shop, its name was changed in the 1890s to The Mechanical Engineering Building. In 1959, the name changed to the Arts Building, in 1969 to Arts-Industrial, and in 1972 to Industrial Sciences. The foundry in the building played an important part in World War II by serving as a valuable production center during the war.

Originally constructed for work in mechanical engineering, it now serves the Department of Construction Management.

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