MERCED, Calif. (Feb. 3, 2015) – Students, faculty and staff of the University of California, Merced held a “topping out” event to celebrate the last steel beam going into the framework of the university’s new Classroom and Office Building 2. Sundt Construction, Inc. (www.sundt.com) is the general contractor on the project, which is expected to be completed in early 2016.
Once completed, the $39 million, three-story building will increase campus classroom seats by 26 percent. Designed by architect Solomon Cordwell Buenz, the state-of-the-art facility is approximately 77,000 square feet and includes 120-seat, 150-seat and 210-seat sloped-floor lecture halls, two 90-seat, flat-floor lecture halls, classrooms, dry laboratories, offices and other support spaces.
“This is Sundt’s third project with UC Merced, and we look forward to continuing our great relationship as the university continues to expand over the next 10 years,” said Sundt Vice President Teri Jones. “Not only will this facility deliver much-needed space for the school’s rapidly growing student population, but it also will provide a collaborative learning environment that’s in line with the university’s academic vision.”
Sundt’s work for the University of California, Merced includes the Stem Cell Instrumentation Foundry in 2010 and the LEED Gold-certified Social Sciences and Management Building in 2011. As a leader in education construction throughout California, Sundt has worked on many notable projects, including the University of California, Davis Veterinary Medicine 3B Building; University of California Berkeley Clark Kerr Campus Renewal; and San José State University Spartan Complex Seismic Upgrades.
About Sundt
Sundt Construction, Inc. is one of the country’s largest and most respected general contractors. Known nationally for its innovative approach to construction services, the firm is currently ranked the 62nd largest construction company in the United States by ENR, the industry’s principal trade magazine. The company is also ranked 24th on ENR‘s list of Top Contractors in California. www.sundt.com