Committee asks designers to price modest work to preserve future divider and favors maker-space Option 1

The Permanent Building Committee directed the design team to prepare a proposal and pricing to add limited enabling infrastructure so the building can accommodate an operable partition in the future, and the committee endorsed the maker-space modifications identified as Option 1.

Ron Powell summarized the divider cost estimate and described the skyfold operable partition in the designers' study as a "Cadillac version" of a room divider, saying the committee was effectively looking for a more modest solution. Powell urged that the committee preserve the option of divisibility by adding enabling features now—structural support, HVAC zoning, electrical rough-ins and AV provisions—so the future cost to add a partition would not be prohibitive.

Committee members debated two maker-space alternatives that trade off dedicated computer alcove access, storage and conference-style seating. Staff and the design consultants recommended Option 1 for its storage and AV improvements and for providing a 500-square-foot small-program room suitable for groups of up to roughly 18 participants. Multiple members said they preferred preserving flexible configurations that would support small programs now and leave the possibility of a later partition.

The committee voted to ask BH+A to prepare a proposal (for contractor pricing) to implement Option 1 and to identify which enabling items (beam modifications, HVAC zoning, electrical/AV rough-ins and floor boxes) could be done now to preserve future divisibility; the motion passed unanimously. The committee also asked that the proposal be routed to the financial working group for review and, if appropriate, use the previously-adopted $50,000 interim authorization process for any change order that falls within that threshold.

Designers noted the high-end "skyfold" system offers superior acoustics but carries a much higher price and that alternative horizontal operable partitions would intrude into corridors or rooms; committee members and staff favored modest enabling work now rather than committing to a full operable wall at construction start.

The committee asked BH+A to return a priced proposal so the design-team work can be considered through the change-order proposal process already established.