Architecture Week 2025 | Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete Association

Building a Sustainable Legacy: IU's Ferguson International Center and the Future of Concrete Design
As we mark Architecture Week 2025, IRMCA is proud to spotlight a project that embodies the future of construction: The Ferguson International Center at Indiana University in Bloomington. This campus building doesn’t just serve students and staff, it sets a new bar for sustainability, collaboration, and architectural excellence.

A Vision for Sustainability
Completed with the support of IRMCA member Irving Materials, Inc. (imi) and honored by the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA), the Ferguson Center was awarded the 2024 Concrete Innovations Award, a distinction by Build With Strength, an NRMCA initiative that honors industry leaders in performance-based and sustainable concrete construction.

The Center’s architects, Thomas Phifer and Partners, didn’t settle for traditional building methods. Instead, they partnered with imi to co-create a custom, performance-driven concrete mix. A mix designed not just for structural strength, but to dramatically reduce environmental impact. This approach aligned perfectly with Indiana University’s low-carbon goals and long-term vision for responsible growth.

Reducing Carbon, Increasing Impact
Here’s how Indiana University's Ferguson Center is leading by example:

• Carbon-conscious Mix: imi helped reduce the embodied carbon from 358 kg CO₂-eq to 251 kg CO₂-eq; a major step forward in sustainable concrete application.
• Local Sourcing: Over 40 trial batches were tested by imi’s Quality Teams to achieve a custom mix that matched the limestone tones of IU’s iconic architecture.
• Smart Tech, Smarter Quality: imi used its proprietary Smarthatch Technology to monitor and control mix quality in real-time, even during cold weather conditions.
• Cutting Costs and Carbon: The innovative mix reduced cementitious materials by 13% and cement content by 32%, while saving over $1 million in overall project costs.

This project also marked the first use of ASTM C595 - 1L cement in the Bloomington area;  showing that innovation doesn’t just meet expectations, it raises them.

Recognition That Builds Momentum
As one of only ten projects nationwide to receive the 2024 Concrete Innovations Award, the Ferguson Center exemplifies how design, engineering, and ready mix expertise can come together to build stronger, cleaner communities. Lionel Lemay, NRMCA Executive Vice President for Structures and Sustainability, summed it up best:

“Our goal is to provide strong, resilient structures while substantially reducing environmental impact through product and process innovations. These winning projects are outstanding examples of how NRMCA members are working with design and build teams to accomplish amazing results.”

Join the Movement
Projects like the Ferguson International Center don’t happen in a vacuum. These projects happen through partnership, shared vision, and a willingness to rethink what’s possible with concrete. At IRMCA, we’re proud to support the people, processes, and companies like imi that are shaping the future of our built environment.

Want to be part of a network that builds for good? Learn more about IRMCA and join today!