National Great Rivers Research & Educational Field Station

EDM Incorporated is providing structural engineering to AAIC for this exciting new center, located near the confluence of the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois Rivers.  This center will serve as an international center for science, education and public outreach, and will host international conferences, symposiums and information exchanges.  The NGRREC was developed through a unique partnership between Lewis and Clark Community College, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the Institute of National Resource Sustainability (formerly the Illinois Natural History Survey).

The first phase of the 35,000 SF center included the lobby area, displays, wet and dry laboratories and boat and equipment storage.  The 2^nd phase of the project will add a wildlife lab, a chemical lab, a conference room, additional offices, work stations, restrooms, and an outdoor fish raceway containing flowing water and plankton pumped directly from the Mississippi River.

The field station incorporates many green features including solar, systems, internal and external water recycling systems.  Future plans include wind and hydro-kinetic systems. The project’s goal is to attain LEED certification at the platinum level, which is the highest possible rating.

Features

• ​Vegetated roof
• Dry & wet labs, complete with river-water delivery system
• Bike trail connected to River Road
• Dragonfly Educational Pond - a teaching area for student hands-on learning
• Water efficiency system
• On-site sewage treatment system

Recycled Material Used on this project includes:

• Concrete – use of highest possible amount of fly ash
• Rebar in concrete – made from 95% reclaimed steel
• Metal Studs – made from 99% recycled metal
• Ninety percent of construction-related waste was recycled

Editor's Choice, 2011 Regional Excellence Awards

Structural Engineering