Valparaiso University James S. Markiewicz Solar Energy Research Facility

Back to projects

Valparaiso University sought to create a facility that would support hands-on, interdisciplinary research in renewable energy while also serving as part of the gateway to engineering excellence at the southeast end of campus. The university needed a technology-rich space that could house a high-temperature solar furnace for advanced research, reflect its commitment to sustainability, and provide a meaningful learning environment for engineering, physics, and astronomy students.

In creating the James S. Markiewicz Solar Energy Research Facility (SERF), Shive-Hattery partnered with Design Organization to provide engineering support for an environment designed to highlight the unique components of the SERF, including an external pivoting reflecting mirror, an internal concentrating mirror that focuses sunlight, and a reaction chamber in the form of a solar furnace, capable of reaching temperatures near 4,000°F. The facility supports collaborative research across disciplines and was strategically placed to enhance the campus’s southeast entrance.

The Solar Energy Research Facility has become a cornerstone of Valparaiso University’s renewable energy research efforts. It offers students and faculty a one-of-a-kind place to explore solar-powered industrial processes and sustainable technologies. The project reflects the university’s forward-thinking mission and Shive-Hattery’s commitment to designing spaces that inspire innovation, support education, and improve lives.