Engineering on Display Cleveland State University’s new Washkewicz Hall invites active academic exploration By Doug Bardwell | Photos by Rob Marrott & B. Thomas Hart ecember 15, 2017 marked the dedication of Cleveland State University’s latest building, the Donald E. Washkewicz Hall, home to the Washkewicz College of Engineering. This four-story, 108,000-square-foot building parallels Chester Avenue and forms a new gateway to the campus at East 24th Street. The dedication signaled completion of Phase One in this $42.5 million project. D Through vast walls of glass, commut-ers on Chester Avenue can peer into the building and observe 2,300 students study-ing all aspects of engineering. Among the disciplines offered are mechanical, elec-trical, computer engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering technol-ogy, electronics engineering technology, civil and environmental, chemical and biomedical engineering. From remodel to a new building “In 2012, Cleveland State University began a deferred main-tenance assessment across campus,” explains Shehadeh Abdelkarim, CSU’s executive director of facilities services. “We established a $26 million bond fund to address the buildings that needed improvements. Fenn Hall, which housed our engineering college, 14 was selected for a remodel as part of this process.” Shortly after that assessment was made, the university was the beneficiary of a combined $20 million gift from former CSU student and past Parker Hannifin Chairman of the Board/CEO Parker Hannifin Don Washkewicz, his wife Pam and the Parker Hannifin Foundation. CSU also successfully advo-cated for capital funds from the State of Ohio for the construction of a new, state-of-the-art, 65,000-square-foot addition to Fenn Hall that would be named Washkewicz Hall. An RFP was put out in 2015 for a design team and a construction manager at risk. CBLH Design and Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED) teamed up to lead the design and engineering component, while Gilbane Building Company was the successful bidder for construction manager at risk. “The business relationship I have had with [HED Principal] Sam Bayne over the past several years was what made the perfect fit to team together on the CSU Engineering project,” says Marc Bittinger, principal in charge of CBLH Design. “I recall Sam calling me about a very similar project they had just completed in Detroit which became the fundamental reason we teamed up. Their imperial knowledge of science/ engineering projects and our strength in construction documents and local familiarity with Cleveland State helped to create a unique and iconic addition for this growing campus.” “The university first looked at mul-tiple options to redecorate and/or remodel Fenn Hall, followed by adding Properties | March 2018 Photo by Rob Marrott (RPM Images)