Crerar Computer Cluster Project

N.B.: With the opening of the new cluster, this page has become obsolete and is no longer being maintained. The information below is for historical purposes only. [22 May 2000]

In September 1998 the Library, Networking Services and Information Technology (NSIT), and the Biological Sciences Division formed a partnership to create a new computer cluster in Crerar Library. This new cluster, located in the basement of Crerar, will have two components: a multipurpose staffed computer lab, and a cyber-cafe, with beverages, food, and network connections. Over 100+ students can be accomodated simultaneously in the new cluster. The cluster is scheduled to open at the start of Spring Quarter, 2000.

Please also read the project statement.

What's New

3/23/00: It looks like the contractor is almost finished. Photos are up from the week of March 13 but things have advanced plenty since then. The windows and doors are installed. Some of the millwork still needs to be installed. The furniture installation has been moved back to the week of April 3. Target completion date for the project is the week of April 17. 3/7/00: Millwork (the custom-designed peices of the counter and other areas) is arriving. Furniture is due (hopefully) in 2 weeks or so. I also added links to news stories about the cluster in campus publications. 3/1/00: Construction continues--the interior walls are being finished and the shape of the lab is starting to emerge. The biggest obstacle so far has obtaining cabling: the type of cabling used was changed to a higher-speed cable which was in short supply.
Raised flooring and drywall installation is almost complete. Painting and sanding of the drywall continues. The decorative ceramic tile is starting to be installed--we hope to have pictures soon of it. We do have some pictures from February 20 (see the link below). 12/31/99: A new chiller (air conditioning unit) for the lab will be installed on the roof of Crerar the morning of Saturday, January 8. To make space for the crane that will hoist the chiller to the roof, there will be no parking in the loading dock area or in parts of the Phemister Hall parking lot from 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 7, to Noon, Saturday, January 8. The Library will be open as usual during chiller installation. 12/30/99: Construction started on Dec. 21. The crew generally works from 6:00 am - 3:00 pm, although this is subject to change. If you use the Library in the morning, please be prepared for noise on the first floor and basement level (especially the drilling into the basement ceiling). Various alarms are also going off because the workers need access to alarmed mechanical rooms.
The Crerar lower level conference room is closed due to the construction. 12/6/99: Meyne Construction Co. will be the general contractor for the construction phase of the project. Construction is scheduled to begin in late December.
The furnishings contractor is Office Equipment Company of Chicago. The Lab will be a mixture of furnishings including cafe style chairs from SMED, computer lab contoured chairs from Steelcase, Vecta tables, and the ADA Adjustable table from Herman Miller.

10/17/99: The demolition of the old walls downstairs is done. Currently the University is in the process of selecting a construction contractor and applying for building permits.
The tunnel from Crerar to the Hospitals and Cummings is closed, as is the entire downstairs. Persons who have meetings in the conference room should walk through the library and enter the conference room by the back staircase.
NSIT has moved the cluster computers to the Microform Room (at the north end of the first floor, by the new journal display) for the duration of the construction.

Pictures

The architect's renderings of the new cluster:

• Floorplan [PNG 549k] [JPEG 109k]
• View of the cyber-cafe area [PNG 608k] [JPEG 132k]
• View of the lab area [PNG 659k] [JPEG 118k]

Photos of the basement after demolition.
More photos from the week of Feb 20.
Photos from the week of Mar 13.

News Stories

03/02/00: Crerar Library will soon house high-tech computer laboratory (The University of Chicago Chronicle) This has some nice photo visualizations of the cluster. 02/29/00: High-tech Crerar computer laboratory nearing completion (The Chicago Maroon)