Prior to demolition, one last look at the CMUBS teaching laboratories, built in the 1960s.  These consisted of labs 1, 3, and 4 as well as the library.  The new Academic Center "footprint" will be on the site of these old labs.

The interiors of the labs are dismantled and the contents removed for storage or sale.  To facilitate the removal of the large casework items, a gaping hole was cut in the library.  Once contents and casework was removed the drywall ceiling and attic insulation was taken down and disposed of.

Site clearing and tree removal followed clearing the laboratories.  At the same time, the roof was removed and the old trusses were removed and recycled. (These photos courtesy of Frank Solle)

Following truss removal, the buildings were leveled and removed from the construction site.  Lab 4, attached to the greenhouse, was the last to go.(Photo courtesy of Frank Solle)

Excavation was then undertaken  for the building's "footprint."  The gaping hole is the position of the basement utility room that will house the mechanical equipment designed to utilized geothermal heating and cooling for the Academic Center.  Footings were then formed to delineate the labs, library and computer laboratory.

Simultaneous to laying and pouring the footings, the network of ductwork, fully insulated, is placed into its final position beneath the floors.  This completed,  the concrete floors can then be poured.

Wall sections are built on site and then erected and braced.  Steel girder supports are inserted and secured as the walls go up.  These will support the "glulam" trusses that will support the roof.

OSB sheeting is applied to the walls for stability...and to break the wind!  Windows overlooking the lake will be cut in at a later point in construction

The '"glulam" trusses, some as long as 60 feet, tail to tail, are then raised into position using a crane. They are stabilized with crossmembers until the roof underlayment begins.

Roofing begins on Lab 3 with the installation of tongue-in-groove laminated wood, close to 3 inches thick, and stained and finished on the inside...which becomes the ceiling of the various rooms.

Following a substantial layer of foam insulation, the green steel roof is installed.  The lecture hall (foreground; above right) block work is laid along with the truss supporting steel.

                                As more and more of the roof becomes enclosed, more and more work can be done on the room interiors.

Panoramic shot of the Beaver Island Academic Center taken on January 16, 2007, from the lake front of CMUBS (Photo courtesy of Frank Solle).

Above Left:  Lab 3, with drywall in place and paint primer on.  Electrical in progress, and unit ventilator about to be installed

Above Right:  Beaver Island Academic Center from the air, February 28, 2007. 

As of April 2, 2007, the Beaver Island Academic Center construction has moved forward to include completion of siding, entire installation of the steel roofing and installation of the windows.  Now that the building is fully enclosed, it can be heated so that drywall hanging and painting can move forward.

The pictures of the Beaver Island Academic Center above were taken April 14, 2007.  The aerial picture on the left is courtesy of Mr. Frank Solle, and Paul Welke of Island Airways.

Above Left: Casework installation has begun in Laboratory 3.  Above Right: The library, including the library office area, is progressing.  The open doorway leads into the computer laboratory.

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