Submitted by: Steve Wolff, Business Development Manager

Congratulations to Indiana's three NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament's invited participants. Shiel Sexton is proud to have been a part of shaping the landscape of these college campuses through construction of various facilities. We would like to shine the spotlight on the achievements of these three schools and highlight facilities that we are privileged to have built.

In the #4 Seed of the South bracket we have Purdue University. Purdue was consistently ranked in the top 5 for most of the season and is in position to make a strong run in the tournament. Shiel Sexton provided construction services on the Yue-Kong Pao Hall of Visual and Performing Arts, completing the previously shelled space of 44,460 sf. for the Music and Theater divisions as well as space for Art Education and Dance programs.

In the #5 Seed of the West bracket is Butler University. Butler beat Wright State to win the Horizon League Championship. Butler's stifling defense and outside shooting ability will certainly match up well against any tournament team. Shiel Sexton recently completed a renovation and addition on the Pharmacy and Health Science Building that totals 54,000 sf.

In the #6 seed of the South bracket is University of Notre Dame. Notre Dame finished the season strong and made a deep run in the Big East Conference Championship. Many consider Notre Dame to be the most explosive team in the Big East and look for them to make a statement in the tournament. Innovation Park at Notre Dame was completed in September 2009 with Shiel Sexton as Construction Manager. The 50,000 sf., three-story facility consists of wet and dry labs, research, and office space for start-up companies. This is South Bend's first certified technology park.

Shiel Sexton is proud to have partnered with each of these schools, helping to provide the best facilities for their student's education. Shiel Sexton wants to wish each of Indiana's teams good luck. We will be cheering for you.

Labels: Butler University, NCAA, Purdue University, Steve Wolff, University of Notre Dame

Submitted by: Cameron Smith, Project Engineer, LEED AP

With future energy costs still uncertain, finding innovative ways of saving money and resources has become increasingly important for colleges and universities. Shiel Sexton, which has worked on the campuses of colleges and universities for many years, is helping to lead the way in developing Green buildings that are becoming the standard on college campuses. Recently, Shiel Sexton has been involved with three major Green building or renovation projects on three college campuses.

The newly completed College of Pharmacy and Health Science Building addition at Butler University won an Indianapolis Sustainability Award for Energy and has applied for LEED-Gold certification, which is currently under review by the U.S. Green Building Council. Elsewhere, University of Notre Dame's Geddes Hall and Ball State University's DeHority Residence Complex both recently received certifications. Geddes Hall, a 64,000 sf. facility houses the University's prestigious Center for Social Concern and Institute for Church Life, received a LEED Gold Certification. The DeHority Residence Complex, a 131,000 sf. project which included renovations to the complex, creating more beds for students, received a Silver Certification.

Please see the links below for pictures and articles on the above mentioned projects:

Butler: Pharmacy and Health Science
BSU DeHority: Video
Geddes Hall Photos: Photos

Labels: Ball State University, Butler University, Cameron Smith, Indianapolis Sustainability Award, LEED certification, University of Notre Dame, USGBC

"Innovation Park at Notre Dame" had its grand opening ceremony on October 23rd, bringing a certified technology park to South Bend area. Technology parks are a source of entrepreneurship, talent, and economic competitiveness, which are a key ingredient to the infrastructure that supports growth in today's global economy. They boost the development, transfer, and commercialization of technology, helping to potentially create jobs and bring business to its surrounding region.

Shiel Sexton worked as Construction Manager with CSO Architects to complete the first building at Innovation Park, which is LEED registered and pursing a LEED Silver Certification. The new facility is a 55,000 sf., three-story building that consists of wet and dry labs, research, and office space for startup companies. The new space helps facilitate the commercialization process for startup companies. Its tenants will include entrepreneurs from the University's faculty, student or alumni community, as well as other enterprises that can grow from resources made available through the Park's network.

South Bend Mayor Luecke called Innovation Park "a crucial economic driver for this region, building on our strong history of innovation and entrepreneurship; it connects town and gown in a vital way. Innovation Park at Notre Dame will be a center for creativity and a meeting place for innovators in the greater South Bend area."

Shiel Sexton is proud to be a part of this project that will help to move South Bend and the Indiana economy into emerging business sectors. The products and technologies developed in the facility will aid in creating growth-oriented businesses poised to make a difference in the marketplace, and we are honored to have had a hand in it today.

Labels: Innovation Park, LEED certification, University of Notre Dame