Proj Overview

PROJECT OVERVIEW

South Dakota State University officials sought to combine two of the school’s largest agriculture majors into a consolidated program. Previously, students studying agricultural and biosystems engineering and agronomy, horticulture, and plant science were separated by several blocks on campus. The resulting structure, Raven Precision Agriculture Center, is a hub for research and hands-on learning that better connects the campus thanks in large part to precast concrete.

Read more about this project in the Summer 2025 issue of Ascent.

PRECAST SOLUTION

The architect wanted to create impactful architecture that enables an active urban landscape, but also wanted to avoid sleek, all-glass commercial towers. Precast concrete was the ultimate solution.

 

Project Team

Architects

Clark & Enersen, EAPC Architects Engineers

Owner

South Dakota State University

Contractor

McGownGordon Construction

Engineer

Clark Engineering

Precast Concrete Producer

Gage Brothers

Key Project Attributes

  • The walls on the south end of the Raven Precision Agriculture Center double as both a structure and durable surface.
  • The building’s high visibility meant that it needed to not only blend with nearby structures but also present itself as a modern, forward-thinking facility capable of projecting the same innovation and interconnectedness as the country’s first Precision Agriculture program.
  • The building further enhances the SDSU community bringing faculty and students together, including those outside of the newly formed Precision Agriculture program. Several other departments use the spaces in the building.

Project/Precast Scope

  • Gage Brothers produced 42 interior structural load-bearing gray wall panels totaling more than 1300 ft for the facility. For the exterior, Gage manufactured 36 3-in. XPS load-bearing structural insulated precast concrete wall panels featuring a thin-brick finish.
  • The main advantage for precast concrete was reducing the construction schedule for the contractor and getting the building completed sooner.
  • By taking advantage of the inherent speed of construction, reduced maintenance, and long lifespan precast concrete provides, SDSU can further their mission by adding new spaces and programming while spending less on maintenance and replacement.