Architect, Charles Rose, has began collaboration with OCAC and artists who will integrate artwork into various portions of the building.

The new insulated Sarnafil roofing system, a vinyl membrane for green building, has been installed at the main Drawing, Painting and Photography Building (DPP). 

The Thesis Bulding has been framed and sheathed.

The canopy connection between the Thesis Building and the main DPP building has been completed and is ready for roofing materials to be applied. Structural steel work for the second story exterior deck was installed and is ready for fire-treated decking.

The large concrete retaining wall for the DPP stairs connecting to the Centrum building was formed and poured. The irrigation work for the landscaping work has also started.

Washington County has approved the plans for the facilities permit for OCAC. This will allow the new sidewalks along Leahy Road and Barnes Road to start shortly, as well as revisions and traffic controls to the main entry to OCAC from Barnes Road.    

The fire sprinklers and plumbing work is roughed-in on the photography department lower level of the DPP Building.

Waterproofing the Drawing, Painting and Photography building roof with a vinyl membrane that is used in numerous applications, from green roofs to solar.

East side of DPP building showing second story.

Southend Concrete Retaining Wall/Footing being smoothed out.

South end of Thesis Building.

The Drawing, Painting and Photography building (DPP) is now getting the structural steel installed for its outdoor deck. The lower level plumbing has begun, and fire/HVAC lines will be installed in the coming weeks. Casework (lockers, cabinets, etc.) are being produced at Robert Gray shop, and lower level parking landscape will begin in the coming week. Mike Purcell of E&M Constructors has taken on Owners Rep responsibility. His focus will be to complete the building in a timely manner and within budget.

The adjacent Thesis Building is currently being framed, and the large retaining wall/stair wall excavation is progressing.

Construction on campus is really picking up steam as we head into summer. Robert Gray Construction has made great progress and we are close to opening back up the lower lots for parking. Sixty new spaces will be available for use on June 15!

The metal roof decking is also complete on the new Drawing, Painting and Photography building, and the interior framing on the lower level of the building has begun.

Drawing, Painting & Photography Building Update

Construction of the Drawing, Painting, and Photography building (DPP) and adjacent Student Thesis Studio is well underway and slated for completion in October 2009. The two-story DPP building is 14,941 square feet and includes 6,240 square feet of drawing and painting studios. The floor dedicated to photography features 5,645 square feet of studio space as well as five film developing stations and three darkrooms. Expandable classrooms capable of holding up to 200 people provides much needed space for lectures and an alternate location for Art Adventures children’s programs during inclement weather.

We appreciate our beautiful campus setting and are on track to achieve LEED silver certification with our building project. Sustainable design has been a critical criterion in the development of the DPP studio and Thesis buildings. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria.

LEED is a voluntary third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Building commissioning is an essential step in the design and construction quality assurance process. For any project to be certified, LEED requires basing commissioning procedures. The College has retained Interface Engineering to provide commissioning services. Being LEED commissioned validates the LEED scorecard and assures the building operation is in accordance with design.

LEED Performance criteria developed by the US Green Building Council:
• Improve the energy efficiency of the buildings and limit their environmental impact. • LEED Green Building Rating System is voluntary. • LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in 5 key areas:

Sustainable Site Development • Water quality will be provided using storm filter cartridges • Storm water runoff will be collected in a retention pond to minimize storm water leaving the site after development • Climate tolerant plantings to minimize amount of irrigation

Water Savings • High efficiency plumbing fixtures

Energy Efficiency • Thermally-broken windows • Improved exterior insulation and building materials • High efficiency mechanical system using Variable Volume Refrigerant system

Materials Selection • Construction waste will be recycled • Specifying materials with recycled content throughout the project • Materials sourced from local manufactures (within 500 miles) wherever possible. • FSC-certified wood and wood products have been specified.

Indoor Environmental Quality • Design Team has specifies sealants, paints and composite wood products that reduce indoor air contamination • Maximizing daylight to interior spaces • Light controls in each room and operable windows for natural ventilation.

OCAC is currently building a new 16,400 square foot Drawing, Painting and Photography Studio and Thesis building. This construction includes new parking areas, fire truck access lanes, landscape improvements, pathways linking existing facilities, and offsite improvements including sidewalks and improvements to adjacent public roads and campus entryways.

What is currently happening?
• Ground breaking occurred in September 2008
• Excavation and site prep is complete
• Foundation is now being poured
• Structure work commenced in November 2008

How is the college promoting energy efficient design and sustainability?
• LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design as developed by the US Green Building Code. OCAC is seeking LEED silver certification.

Project Completion:
• Occupancy expected late August 2009