IIT Freshmen Chem Lab Design Contest

Technology News, Volume 122, Number 2, February 2, 1987

by Sean Washak

Web format @ by Prof. P. Johnson

The IIT Chemistry department is sponsoring a design contest to help renovate the freshmen lab, seen here

Chem design contest

The IIT Chemistry department has recently received a grant of nearly $200,000 from the Build Illinois Fund to help remodel the freshmen chemistry lab. A design contest, in which IIT students would have first crack at making valid renovation proposals, was suggested by Dr. Peter Johnson.

Prof. Johnson and Schug look at fresh lab

Prof. Johnson and Schug look at fresh lab

The first place design winner would receive $125, with second and third places receiving $50 and $25 each, respectively.

"I have great faith in what students can do. They are not as tied down to ideas as we adults are. They can possibly see things we can't see and finally have some sort of say as to what happens with money designated for the classroom," stated Dr. Johnson.

Dr. Peter Johnson and Dr. Kenneth Schug of the Chemistry department examine the lab

"We have an opportunity with a chunk of money to do something smart. In the past, things were simply patched up to get us by. Now we are in need of good ideas and this will come through the input of many ideas," he further commented.

Teams are encouraged, since design students have little or no involvement with the chemistry lab, while those who are involved with the lab have little design knowledge. Design students/architectures should get together with students who have had exposure to the Chemistry lab to combine and form some good ideas. Since the money doesn't all have to go towards building materials, equipment that can improve the quality of the lab should also be a consideration. "There has been talk of PC's and video units set up in the lab to help show proper lab techniques," stated Professor Johnson.

Teams should begin to form as soon as possible and register with Professor Johnson at x3440 by February 9th. Group tours of the lab will take place to establish needs.

Teams then have until Friday, February 27th for submission of tentative working plans.

Preproposals will be judged by Professor K. Schug, Chairman of the Chemistry Department; Professor P. Johnson, Lab Renovation Coordinator; Mr. D. Mehlenbacher, from the Physical Plant; and Professor John O'Leary from Civil Engineering. Those people will then pick 5 finalists who will have until March 13 before all information will be turned in for final judgement.

The plans that come from this contest will be given to an independent design firm who will incorporate the ideas into a final product. "The deadline calls for construction to begin the day the spring semester ends. We will have to relocate the Freshmen summer lab and hopefully the "NEW LOOK" lab will be ready by next fall," forecasted Professor Johnson. "We are a tech school and this should be reflected in the equipment and the surroundings."

Drs. Johnson and Schug indicate areas that need improvement in the freshman lab. The Chemistry department is sponsoring a design contest for the lab

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