OUTSTANDING CONCRETE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Presented to David L. Rice Library/University of Southern Indiana
for the David L. Rice Library

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete Association (IRMCA) presented the 2006 Outstanding Concrete Achievement Awards for projects in the State of Indiana on December 5, 2006 at the Indianapolis Downtown Marriott.

In the category of Concrete Commercial & Industrial Projects - Public/Institutional, one of three winning projects is the David L. Rice Library at the University of Southern Indiana. The University is committed to providing service to the southern Indiana region by expanding educational opportunities and working in partnership with the community to fulfill both the service and applied research needs of the area. This commitment along with the mission to offer programs of instruction, research, and service prompted the university to bring the university library into the new century.

The groundbreaking for the David L. Rice Library, a 27.5 million dollar project, was the first step in accomplishing the universities commitment to its students, faculty and community. The new library has a 151,660 sq footage and stands four stories above ground and has a lower level accessible from ground level. The interior of the building functions not only as a library that house the university archives and other special collections, but also has over thirty group study rooms, media and listening rooms, computer labs, and a Starbucks with wired and wireless computer access.

The construction of the University of Southern Indiana David L. Rice Library has created an opportunity for thousands of students and faculty both present and future to have access to up-to-date technology and means of researching the past.

The construction of the Library was over a two year period and produced many challenges. Special measure had to be taken to meet mix specifications in both warm, humid temperatures as well as in freezing weather. Construction of the library included 1,850 cubic yards of lightweight concrete, exposed river gravel concrete, exposed #11 stone concrete, and 3,700 cubic yards of 4000 PSI concrete.

The use of ready-mixed concrete as the primary construction material for this project will stand for generations as one of the premier buildings for learning on the University of Southern Indiana campus.

The project team for the David L. Rice Library includes the project owner: David L. Rice Library/University of Southern Indiana, the engineering firm: Wilke Structural Engineering, Inc., the architectural firms: Hafer & Associates and Woollen, Molzan & Partners, the general contractor and concrete finisher: Deig Brothers Construction, and the ready mix producer: Concrete Supply, LLC.

IRMCA presents these awards to recognize extensive application or imaginative use of concrete; and to honor the accomplishments of project owners, architects, engineers, contractors, owners and ready mixed concrete producers.

Images available upon request.