LIVONIA – Madonna University’s new Science and Media Building is approaching completion, and it will be the school’s first standalone building erected on campus in 40 years.

Construction Manager Clark Construction, its subcontractors and the building trades are putting the finishing touches on the 60,000 square-foot building, which will house instructional laboratories in the physical and biological sciences, classrooms, seminar rooms, a lecture hall and a high-definition media studio.

“In the new building, our broadcast and cinema arts students will create movies and commercials with the latest digital production equipment, so that as graduates they are well-equipped to make their mark on Michigan’s burgeoning film industry and beyond,” said Sr. Rose Marie Kujawa, Madonna University president. “In addition, the science laboratories will facilitate undergraduate student/faculty research and prepare our nursing, education, pre-med and other pre-professional students to meet employers’ requirements for graduates with strong science backgrounds.”

The building comes with a $20 million price tag, and numerous green building features, big and small. Completion is expected next month.

Recycled materials, energy efficient windows and lighting, a “green” roof and other environmentally-friendly construction elements will enable Madonna to qualify the building for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The 60,000-square foot standalone building will be made from recycled and other environmentally-friendly materials such as cork and bamboo. It will use motion-detecting lights to automatically turn lights on and off in rooms, as well as waterless urinals and low-flush toilets.

Theodore Biermann, Ph.D., Madonna University’s dean of science and mathematics, told the Michigan Catholic that the laboratories in the new facility will accommodate a wide array of courses, from forensic science to chemistry to emergency management.

“Basically, we’re going to have a flexible, modern (building) with good lighting, good ventilation – and it’s going to be a safer environment, too,” said Biermann. “We’re really excited about that. We’re going to have more laboratories than we have now, too. So for the sciences, it’s a big deal.”

Chris Rau, project manager for Clark Construction, said the building trades “have done very well for us. I think the biggest challenge has been the comfort level of the LEED process, not everyone is familiar with it. It’s a certification, but it’s also a mindset for workers.”

OUTSIDE THE NEW Science and Media Building at Madonna University in Livonia, (l-r) Brad Nester, Ed Ignatoski and Jim Pavlich finish preliminary work on a stack of foam panel soffits, at right. The Sheet Metal Workers Local 80 members were working for Universal Wall Systems.

COLOR-COORDINATED THHN wire serving the new Science and Media Building's TV station control room is installed by Joe Lovalvo of IBEW Local 58 and LaBelle Electric.