UCF Morgridge International Reading Center

Located at the main entrance on the University of Central Florida campus, the Morgridge International Reading Center is an innovative, state-of-the-art facility designed and built to host national and international traveling exhibits and conferences. The Center serves as a place to educate, collaborate, and research reading and literacy on a world-wide scale.

Wharton-Smith managed construction of the 16,500 square-foot, technologically advanced facility working hand-in-hand with the design team to provide value management and analysis, and with the university and subcontractors to ensure high-tech systems were installed properly.  The unique facility includes office, gallery and conference space, as well as a global communications room and audio room, and 6,000 square-foot reading gallery equipped with 21^st century technology. The project also included site clearing, installation of underground utilities, and sustainable design and building strategies contributing to the project’s LEED Gold Certification with the USGBC. Wharton-Smith self-performed a portion of the work.

“The challenges faced with the design of this unique facility, but the Wharton-Smith team overcame every obstacle. The team worked diligently with all UCF entities, architect, consultants, and engineers in a collaborative environment, and produced a facility which the University and the Morgridge family can be proud of for years to come.” – Lori A. Baker, CGC, CDT, LEED AP, University of Central Florida