Residence Hall Goes Green.

By Tom Hale

New University of Indianapolis building uses AERCON Autoclaved Aerated Concrete

Construction of the University of Indianapolis' (UIndy) new residence hall is quickly taking shape, incorporating an innovative "green" product made from recycled material that is energy-efficient, fire-resistant and sound-dampening. The $9.8-million East Hall, a four-story structure with 154 single-occupant rooms, multiple lounges and two-story atriums with balconies, is being built with AERCON's Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) -- a material produced in blocks, lintels and panels.

This marks the second time that that AAC is being used to build a facility on the southeast Indianapolis campus. Central Hall was one of the first academic buildings in the nation to use the product. "Our first project was very successful, and the product has lived up to all of our expectations," says Ken Piepenbrink, director of UIndy's physical plant. "It was a very easy decision to select AAC again."

Shiel Sexton, Indianapolis, which built Central Hall, is serving as general contractor for East Hall, and the architect is Design Collaborative of Fort Wayne, IN. Following groundbreaking in September 2008, the project is moving forward and is scheduled for completion in advance of the 2009 fall semester.

Crews are currently erecting hundreds of pieces of AAC. According to Shiel Sexton Project Superintendent Josh Whitt, the residence hall requires 800 wall panels per floor and almost 500 floor panels per floor. Contractor Charles Masonry Inc., Whitesville, KY, has been busy installing the panels, utilizing two Potain wireless radio remote-controlled, mini tower cranes, supplied by R.H. Marlin Inc., Indianapolis.

"The wall panels are 12 feet high and vary between 12 and 24 inches wide," notes Whitt. "The floor panels are about 2 feet wide and up to 19 feet, 6 inches long."