The engineering team was presented with a challenge because the owner did not have a LEED requirement until after it was designed and construction was underway. However, KFI designed the project for energy-efficient operation from the beginning, so only minor changes were required to become certified.
The 289,000 square-foot building houses biomedical research laboratories, support areas, offices, and a 47,000 square-foot vivarium. The building’s HVAC for the laboratory and office areas is variable volume, including the hood exhaust system. The HVAC system for the vivarium is a constant volume system. Chilled water for cooling, steam for space heating, and domestic hot water are supplied from the Medical Center heating and cooling plant through underground tunnels. Laboratory piped gases are provided throughout the facility. Upon loss of power, the building is equipped with emergency generators for life safety, critical laboratory power, and power for the fume hood exhaust and vivarium systems. In addition to HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection, the building system design included a fire alarm system, horizontal communication pathways, risers, telecommunication room layout, and workstation communication outlet rough-in. Communication cabling and devices were included as separate bid packages. The security system riser was designed in concert with a security sub-consultant and included security equipment and cabling. The building also has a BSL-3 laboratory area. The air terminal units serving this area are equipped with bubble‑tight isolation dampers so any of the rooms can be isolated and decontaminated.
