Lewistone_Niagara-University-Golisano-Center

USA (Lewiston, NY) | Industry & Life Science | noraplan environcare™

Niagara University Addresses Chemical Spills in New Golisano Center for Integrated Sciences

Niagara University, in Lewiston, NY, built a brand new, 50,000-square-foot facility for the school’s integrated sciences program. “Our old facility, built in the 1950s, was less than adequate for the cross-discipline direction in which our science programs were heading,” says Chris Sheffield, executive director of planning and assessment. “The idea behind the new building was to create a functional space, where these two branches of science—chemistry and biology—could work in collaboration.”

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Designing a building that houses 18 laboratories, including two shared research labs, a lecture hall, seminar room and classrooms, the university was challenged to find a flooring that would stand up to possible chemical spills. “One of the reasons we selected nora was we couldn’t find another product that would be as resistant to the chemicals used in the building,” says Bill Duquin, construction manager.

Seeking a significant upgrade from the previous sciences building, which was constructed in the 1950s, the university established several requirements for the new space. Outfitting 99 percent of the building, including 18 laboratories, noraplan environcare ™ was selected as the flooring product most resistant to possible chemical spills. The floor covering also provides long-term durability, reduces maintenance and contributes to the building’s LEED Gold certification.

Another benefit of nora was realized after the building opened. “There is a small area used for dry storage, where we have been struggling with the floor settling a bit,” says Bill Duquin, construction manager. “This space contains both VCT and nora. The VCT has completely crumbled, while nora just seems to be adapting with no problem. You’d never know. I’ve never seen anything that adapts and gives as much as the nora floor does. That’s a real highlight.”

“The building is used hard,” shares Chris Ferguson, director of contract services and risk management. “It receives a significant number of prospective student tours and is the location where we host many events. It’s not used solely for academics. Anytime there’s an open house, there can be a couple hundred people trekking through, and the floor withstands it all very well.” Duquin adds, “The nora flooring always looks clean.” 

“It’s become a showpiece,” says Chris Sheffield, executive director of planning and assessment. “The university community is very proud of the building. It’s been a really beautiful addition.”

Data and facts

Building Niagara University – Golisano Center for Integrated Sciences
Market Segment Industry & Life Science
Products noraplan environcare™
Architect URS Corporation – Cleveland, OH
Installation Year 2013
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Products

noraplan environcare™

Rubber flooring with a changing base color consisting of three harmoniously matched hues is complimented with characteristic granules, delivering an aesthetically appealing and functional smooth surface for heavy traffic areas.

More references

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UMass School of Medicine Outfits Busy Hub of Labs with nora flooring

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noraplan environcare™ | Industry & Life Science

Find a floor covering with multiple performance features to address the need for ease of maintenance, stain resistance, comfort underfoot and sound attenuation in six floors of laboratories and corridors as well as in kitchens and back-of-house spaces, all while contributing to the building’s LEED® Gold certification.

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