“The progress of the Mixed-Use Housing Facility is on track as per the established schedule,” says Larry Mirabal, IAIA Vice President of Operations. “So far, all foundations have been successfully poured, under-slab utilities have been installed and inspected, and the north wing’s slab has been poured, using a substantial 140 yards of concrete—offering insight into the building’s considerable size.” During March, activities will include connecting gas lines to the campus system, finalizing the electrical run to the transformer, and initiating the steel erecting process. Despite facing winter weather challenges, the project remains on schedule, targeting substantial completion by August 1, 2024.

The HVAC and humidity control project for Collections has made significant progress, albeit not without facing challenges. The chiller unit has been successfully installed on the building’s north side, and the humidity control units have been lifted and positioned on the rooftop. A considerable amount of ducting has been installed on the ceiling and walls, ensuring uniform distribution of freshly treated air throughout the space.

In the first week of March, our contractors identified a concerning development—the roof showed excessive flexing beyond acceptable tolerances due to the weight of the humidity control unit positioned on it. Currently, IAIA is collaborating with its architects, engineers, and general contractors to formulate a resolution to this issue. The project’s completion has been rescheduled to mid-summer 2024.

Image: Crews make progress on HVAC and humidity control project for Collections. Infrared photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts.