Engineering News-Record Recognizes Abilene Christian University Science and Engineering Research Center
Written By: Parkhill Communications
Date: October 1, 2024
Abilene Christian University's Gayle and Max Dillard Science and Engineering Research Center in Abilene, Texas, has been recognized by the Engineering News-Record (ENR) Texas & Louisiana with an Award of Merit for Higher Education/Research! ENR recognizes design and construction achievements across the country and has chosen 39 projects in five states for its 2024 regional Best Project awards.
The SERC is a symbol of the innovative research and leading-edge scientific development happening at ACU. This project houses the Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Laboratory (NEXT Lab) and is a first-of-its-kind facility dedicated to advancing molten salt nuclear reactor technology. Parkhill guided Abilene Christian University through all phases of the project, including site feasibility and selection, critical and consistent coordination with the end-users, reporting to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the design, and final construction phases teaming with Linbeck Construction.
Parkhill project manager Brandon Young, AIA, said, “This building — being very visible — became something of a landmark in our eyes, because the work they’re doing is landmark-type research. It’s signifying a new frontier in clean energy.”