at florida polytechnic university, building under the spotlight
DESCRIPTION
Many have built designs by noted architect Santiago Calatrava, but few – if any – have delivered these highly complex structures within the clients’ budget and schedule goals, and through a smooth construction process. After all, if a starchitect designs the building, won’t the project be so complex that it’s destined to be late and over budget? Skanska is proving that notion wrong as we near completion of the 160,000-square-foot Innovation, Science and Technology Building in central Florida, the centerpiece of a new campus for Florida Polytechnic University. Projects don’t get much more complex than this, with 90 percent of the building on a radius; the glazed roof covered with operable louver arms that will reach up to 12 stories above grade to regulate light into the building; and a soaring cast-in-place concrete structure that required the highest standards of craftsmanship. All this was done on a $60 million budget.TRANSCRIPT
“It may be a budget-conscious building, but it's sumptuous, with the architect's most
famous design elements: lyrical curves, sweeping repetitive lines, biomorphic forms
and technological innovations integrated seamlessly into the art forms.” - Soaring
Calatrava design will be centerpiece of Florida Poly, Tampa Bay Times
About the Building
“The general feel of the building is to be one of light, air, openness and positivity,’
Calatrava said. He wants arriving students to feel inspired, not gloomy. ‘I am astonished
to see this coming alive,’ …With the structure in place, you get a clear perception of the
final impression.’” - Florida Polytechnic's Inaugural Building Taking Shape, The
Ledger
About the Building
“With the placement of a final stanchion alongside a symbolic tree and a rousing round
of applause, Florida Polytechnic supporters and officials celebrated the “topping out” of
the campus showpiece – the $134 million Innovation, Science and Technology building.”
- Florida Poly marks construction landmark, The Tampa Tribune
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About the Building
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“The arches are covered by glazing, which is then topped by two sets of 47 operable aluminum
louvers…The largest measuring 63 ft long, the louvers will ultimately be fitted with solar panels. The
louvers will move up and down using the power of hydraulic pistons, which will be programmed so
that each set of louvers moves in unison as the sun tracks across the sky. When the wind speed is
40 mph or more, the louvers will automatically retract.” -- Calatrava Designs Campus, First
Academic Building, ASCE Civil Engineering
About the Building
“A Dodge spokeswoman said producers scouted ‘innovative and inspiring’ large-scale construction
locations from coast to coast and found what it wanted in Lakeland. The building ‘aligns with what
the Ram truck brand stands for — modern, high-tech and progressive,’ said Eileen Wunderlich of
Dodge.” - University building in TV pickup ad, Tampa Bay Tribune
About the commercial
“One aspect of the cat's adopted family that seems to amuse others at the site is the unbridled
devotion of Chuck Jablon, operations vice president and known tough-guy personality. Jablon
turns into a baby-talking fool when he's around the cat. And he doesn't care who knows it.” -Poly's
Mascot: Architect's Namesake Prowls Emerging Campus, The Ledger
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About a stray cat, adopted and named Kittiago
“The goal was 500 students in classes by August 2014. Work moved fast because it had to. The first
professor, research chemist Robert MacCuspie, came on board in June. By Dec. 4, the campus was
ready, at least somewhat, to show off. Reporters… took hard-hat tours of the 162,000-square-foot,
$60 million Innovation, Science and Technology Building designed by Calatrava to hold all the labs,
classrooms, offices and a common area.” -Florida Polytechnic racing from construction site to
real university, TampaBay
About how this building will be used