The  Reva  and  David  Logan  Center  for  the  Arts is a 184,000 GSF creative and performing arts center situated on the University of Chicago's Midway Plaisance.   Eric Eichler served as senior project manager, leading the project from concept design through completion.  The building design features an iconic tower and a podium with sawtooth roof featuring 260 photovoltaic solar panels.  The landmark facility brought a majority of the University's undergraduate Arts programs together under one roof.  The development footprint of the building and site covered four acres, resulting in a significant new campus landscape in addition to the new building.

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Clark University is in the process of designing and building its new Media Arts, Computing and Design building.  The building is expected to be approximately 80,000 GSF and will open in Fall 2023.  Forge has been retained to provide planning and project management services, which include guiding the recent site selection and space programming process.  Forge will also manage architect selection, budget development, and ultimately the entire design and construction process in concert with Clark's Facilities Management team.  The building will be home to the new Becker School of Design & Technology, and will feature classroom, computer lab, virtual reality/alternate reality spaces, video production laboratories, collaboration spaces, along with other Arts and Computer Science spaces to complement the Becker School program.

Eric Eichler served as the University of Chicago’s project manager for this enabling project that preceded the Logan Center.  Its first phase was a $2.6 Million replacement of building roof, including thirty-four replacement skylights, at the nationally landmarked building in Chicago, IL.  The project’s second phase included the interior renovation that created the Gray Center for Arts and Inquiry, faculty art studios, and new HVAC systems.  It also provided a new accessible entrance for the facility.

Forge was retained to provide planning and project management services for Clark University in Worcester, MA as the University updated its campus master plan for the first time under a new administration. Working in conjunction with the President's Office and Facilities Management, Forge guided the overall design process and analyzed opportunities for project phasing as the University prepares to embark upon an ambitious 10-year capital plan.  Ayers Saint Gross was retained as planning consultant, with Forge collaborating in an integrated manner to deliver high quality and viable campus development options for the University's consideration.

The Campus North Residential Commons is an 800-bed, 400,000 square foot residence hall and dining facility designed by Studio Gang Architects.  Eric Eichler served as Senior Project Manager, guiding the project from planning through completion.  The project was the University of Chicago's first large scale Design Build project.  Eric led all aspects of the project from start to finish, which began with a Programming study and budget development covering a wide range of project scenarios. During the Programming phase, Eric performed extensive benchmarking studies to establish the project budget and evaluated various project delivery methods, which included assessing that the facility could open a year earlier than expected if the University agreed to proceed with the Design Build approach.   Additional information and details...

The University of Chicago recently opened a new 97,000, 10-story conference center designed by Diller Scofidio and Renfro.  Forge provided project management services to support the University's facilities team, focusing on implementation of owner-installed systems (audio-visual, security, phone/data, furniture) and MEP systems commissioning.  Forge also managed the design and construction of a high-end wine bar and restaurant within the conference center.

Nichols College is undergoing the process of updating its campus master plan for the first time in nearly two decades.  Forge was retained to conduct an RFP for Master Plan Consulting Services, culminating with the selection of Sasaki Associates to execute the project.  Forge has subsequently been retained to advise on design proposals and assist with planning for future phasing of projects identfied in the plan.

Forge assisted the Capital Project Delivery group within Facilities Services with the development of a Project Delivery Guide to standardize and document best project management practices. Forge worked with University IT Services to convert the completed Guide to a web-based format, allowing it to be used as a reference for project managers within the department and as a tool for communicating policies to external University stakeholders and leadership.

Woodlawn Residential Commons is the newest residence hall at the University of Chicago, built in a partnership between the University of Chicago and Capstone Development Partners.  The P3 project featuring 1200 beds and a new Dining Hall, opened in Fall 2020. Forge was engaged with Capstone as the project's Scheduling Consultant, tasked with visiting the project site on a regular basis to assess the progress of construction against the project schedule, and provided recommendations for schedule improvements to ensure the facility was completed on time for student move-in.