A & E Architects of Billings, Mont. designed the University of Montana Native American Studies Center in Missoula. The 30,000 sq ft building consists of three levels of 10,000 sq ft each. The project is being built by Jackson Contracting Group of Missoula. The new facility will have plenty of classrooms, along with faculty rooms, offices and a counseling center. The exterior will have brick, stone and fiberglass finishes. The interior will have stained concrete flooring, carpet and recovered larch.

Rendering of $5.9-million Native American Studies Center being constructed at the University of Montana in Missoula.
Rendering of $5.9-million Native American Studies Center being constructed at the University of Montana in Missoula.

Glenn and Glenn Architects of Phoenix is also working on this project. Daniel Glenn has an in-depth knowledge of Native American culture and traditions and is incorporating this into the center’s design. Energy efficiency is a major aspect of this project, which includes things like translucent fiberglass panels, high quality insulation and energy modeling glass on the project. The center is expected to use more than 50% less mechanical and electrical energy. The $5.9 million project, all funded with private donations, is slated for completion in January 2010.

R&O Construction of Ogden began construction on a second expansion project at the SGL Carbon Fiber plant in Evanston, Wyoming at 1375 Union Road. The expansion includes both interior and exterior construction that will result in a new carbon fiber manufacturing line and the installation of new equipment. The work is all part of SGL Carbon Fiber’s plan to double the plant’s current operation capacity, which will add nearly 40 employees to the Evanston workforce this year.

Carbon fiber is a material used to make golf clubs, cell phone cases, wind turbine blades, auto parts and many other applications. The Evanston plant actually takes raw material, a special acrylic fiber, and removes from it every non-carbon element. SGL Carbon Fiber is headquartered in Germany.

R&O Construction is working with Case Lowe and Hart Inc. of Ogden, the architects and engineers on the project.