VPS Architecture in Evansville is pleased to report that its Indiana school partners have been awarded nearly $6 million in Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB). These funds have been made available for school modernization and construction from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (stimulus funds). Of the nearly $53 million awarded in Indiana as of the 4th of August, VPS will be providing design services for more than 10% of Indiana’s awarded funds, with several other school partners still awaiting approval of their projects.

The school modernization efforts are in Scott County School District 2, Seymour Community Schools, and Richland Bean-Blossom Community School Corporation. Projects include the repair of building roofs, the improvement of safety and security of buildings including replacement of doors and hardware, the replacement of outdated mechanical equipment with efficient energy-saving equipment, and the renovation of an existing vocational building to meet the needs of a new Tech High School curriculum. By providing a “project based learning” experience that emphasizes technology, The Tech High School will prepare today’s high school student for the new economy.

VPS Architecture is proud to have provided conceptual plans and construction cost budgets for public discussion of these important projects.

VPS Architecture was awarded a grant from the Indiana Department of Energy to install an array of solar photovoltaic panels on the roof of our building at Sixth and Main. The state requires grant recipients to match its grant with an equal or larger financial contribution to the project.

In April of 2009, Morton Energy placed 36 solar panels on the roof of VPS’ Evansville offices. The panels are sized at three feet by five feet and can produce about 195 watts each. In the most favorable conditions, between late morning and early afternoon on sunny days, the cells will generate slightly more than 7,000 total watts of electricity, according to Brad Morton, president of Morton Energy. Morton has worked with VPS on other sustainable projects, including the new Ohio Township Library in Newburgh, a building that also utilizes photovoltaic panels to generate electricity.

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The Boston Marathon is not for sissies. With rigorous qualifying requirements, Boston’s entrants are among the world’s running elite. Jeff Alvey, VPS architectural technician for over 21 years, completed his second Boston event this year and, at the same time, set a personal marathon record best.

The second largest single day sporting event in the world, behind only the Super Bowl, the Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon. With the exclusion of the Olympics and various championship races, Boston is the only marathon in the USA that maintains strict qualifying times and running requirements. The requirements generally state that a runner must have completed a qualifying marathon within the year and a half before the upcoming Boston Marathon event.
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Canstruction® combines the competitive spirit of a design competition with a unique way to help feed the hungry of the Tri-State area. The event includes competing teams, led by architects, engineers and contractors, who showcase their talents by designing and building giant sculptures made entirely of canned foods, all within a 10’ x 10’x 8’ high space.

“Got Soup?” – the VPS entry – was voted the Juror’s Favorite, winning first place, for Evansville’s first annual Canstruction® competition held at Washington Square Mall this spring. The VPS/St. Paul’s Episcopal Team landed the first place competition award, as well as the Structural Integrity Award. The participants who worked on our team were Emily Phillips (Team Captain), Father Richard Gobold, Roger and Mary Winstead, Robert Ratcliff, Dave Black, Sarah Schuler, Anna Beth Pfafflin, Madeline LaPlante and Jeanie Hadra.

The winning entry was made out of approximately 1,277 cans of Campbell soup, canned chicken breast and beef stew. The structure consisted of a seven foot diameter soup bowl with a large spoon extending out of it, directly referencing the hunger that exists in our area. The judges cited structural innovation, three-dimensionality, good use of labels in the composition, and integration of design criteria as their reasons for awarding the two top prizes to “Got Soup?”

Other teams who were part of the competition included the University of Evansville, the best use of labels award; Vectren, the best meal award; and Alcoa, the most cans used award. At the close of the exhibition, all of the canned food items, used to create the structures, were donated to the Tri-State Food Bank. Thanks to everyone who participated and supported this important event to help feed the hungry in our community.

To learn more about Canstruction® visit http://www.canstruction.org/.