Discovery Center

DeWitt & Associates is the general contractor for the addition to and renovation of the Discovery Center. H Design Group LLC is the architect. Mettemeyer Engineering LLC is the structural engineer and Malone Finkle Eckhardt & Collins is the mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineer for the 31,000-square-foot project, which has an estimated construction cost of $3.5 million. Scheduled for completion by the end of the year, the project includes expanded exhibit areas, two large classrooms, additional videoconferencing space and a new theater. The project is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified through the U.S. Green Building Council.
As part of the Discovery Center of Springfield’s sustainable design goals, the project is using a product known as flowable fill. This concrete mix has a high percentage of fly ash, a recycled material, and replaces rock and soil to fill excavations. The advantages include reduced time and labor, no tamping, ease of removal and no damage to PVC pipe within the excavated void, according to Elise Crain of DeWitt & Associates.