As progress continues on the University of Baltimore’s John and Frances Angelos Law Center, the University has tapped a number of talented experts for the management and administration of the project. Among these professionals is Neb Sertsu, associate vice president for facilities management and capital planning in the Office of Administration and Finance. Sertsu is responsible for campus renovation and expansion efforts, to which he provides strategic direction and leadership.
The Build Up interviewed Sertsu to learn about his role in the law center project.
The Build Up: You play a key role in the center construction. Considering your responsibilities there, which one is the most crucial?
Sertsu: At UB, I direct the Office of Facilities Management and Capital Planning, which entails campus facility plans, maintenance and operation functions, and energy management/sustainability issues. As part of my duties, I serve as the primary contact between the University’s departments, the University System of Maryland project management team, and the architects, engineers and contractors involved in the planning and execution of new capital construction and/or renovation projects. I also partner with senior management and upper-level administrators to assist with strategic goals and objectives for the campus along with serving as a member of the president’s cabinet.
The Build Up: Knowing that no construction project ever goes 100 percent according to plan, tell us about your most “interesting” day on this job. What was the problem, and how did it get resolved?
Sertsu: It wasn’t a problem, but it was interesting—I don’t think I’ll forget it. It was the first time I saw the mock-up of the exterior façade system. This system is quite unique, and even the renderings and construction drawings we have been reviewing for months don’t really prepare you for the first time you see it up close and in person. Since the project site had limited space, we authorized the contractor to build the mock-up in their space and notify us when it was complete. That day, when I arrived at the yard to review the work, I instantly realized the significance of what we were doing. The façade system, which is mostly glass and metal panels that will be visible from Penn Station, Charles Street and the Jones Falls Expressway, is going to not only redefine the University of Baltimore—it will change how architecture is viewed in Baltimore and across the state.
The Build Up: You have a lot of “assets under management” with this project—everything from how the building functions to choices in lighting, furnishings, wall finishes, etc. You work in consultation with many different people, groups, organizations and companies. On a project of this scope, how is it possible to maintain a core vision for the building when there are so many parts to bring together?
Sertsu: The vision for this project was laid out by UB President Robert L. Bogomolny in his message to the firms during the design competition. The vision was for “… an open, transparent building responsive to light and energy … whose design teaches critical lessons about how to create and sustain healthy urban environments.” It was to be “… a structure that welcomes both our academic community and our urban neighbors.” The approach that our architectural team took was in keeping with this statement. As the project moved from the conceptual stage to the construction phase, you find that there are dozens of design and construction professionals making decisions on a daily basis. It might independently seem incremental, but taken as a whole, those decisions can lead you to lose sight of the principles that unite the functional with the aesthetic. My role has been, and continues to be, to support the leadership and represent the University’s commitment to making sure that we do not stray from our original vision. I’m happy to say that I believe we are achieving that goal.