McShane Construction Co. of Rosemont, Ill., was recently selected to complete the 51,500-sq-ft design-build construction of a classroom and office facility on the campus of Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Ind.

The building will feature a masonry, aluminum, precast and glass exterior that incorporates aluminum cladding, generous windowlines and additional aesthetic elements.

The facility’s interior will offer lobby space, offices, teacher’s lounge and flexible office and classroom areas for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Classrooms will incorporate high-tech audio visual equipment to provide an enhanced and productive learning environment. Contemporary interior finishes will include perforated acoustical tile, polished concrete floors and exposed steel elements.

The project will foster greater collaboration between Valparaiso University’s academic departments and support interdisciplinary innovation, while at the same time facilitate superior student-faculty interaction.

The assignment has been designed to meet LEED certification standards and will incorporate numerous sustainable elements including an energy-efficient HVAC system, recycled and low-VOC materials and certified wood products, among others.

Additionally, McShane will implement a construction waste recycling system at the job site.

EHDD Architecture of San Francisco is providing the architectural services, while KJWW Engineering of Rock Island, Ill., is providing the structural engineering and MEP consulting services for the project, which is scheduled for completion in December 2011.

McShane Construction has previously completed comprehensive construction services for other Valparaiso University projects, including the multi-phase Football Intramurals, Track and Tennis (FITT) project.

The assignment included renovations to the existing football field, including future provisions for the addition of an eight-lane track, construction of multiple tennis courts and recreational areas, and the completion of a storage facility for the Department of Athletics.