LOCATION
Lincoln, Nebraska

AREA
267,000 GSF

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Engineering’s Scott Engineering Center underwent a renovation and addition that focuses on modern, interdisciplinary teaching methods and provides undergraduates, graduates, and faculty with state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities. A new front entrance greets students and visitors, and the facility now includes laboratories that house the specific needs of the Laser, Bioscience, Material Science, and Computational Research departments. The addition of a new connecting structure, “the Link,” brought updates to the Civil, Chemical, and Electrical Engineering departments, offices, learning spaces, and labs.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

• New mechanical systems that were ushered into the Scott Engineering Center bring along advanced exhaust systems and unique filtration methodologies that allow the heat recovery units to utilize large amounts of exhaust air without risking cross-contamination between systems. By using heat recovery coils to precondition incoming outside air, our firm found a way to provide an exceptionally high return on value for the energy efficiency of the HVAC system.
• The cascading pressurization of the spaces was unique, as our mechanical team had to use innovative pressurization methods to keep hallways over-pressurized to prevent chemicals from the lab spaces from leaking into non-lab areas.
• Highly technical lab spaces required extensive specifications and intricate design work to service their unique needs. Extensive work was done on suitable air filtration and exhaust of lab chemicals to ensure users could safely utilize all aspects of the structure.
• From an electrical engineering standpoint, the project presented an unprecedented amount of equipment that required specific connections and infrastructure needs in order to make all of the adjoining lab spaces function in an optimized fashion. Hundreds of pieces of equipment were strategically coordinated and powered, and they also had to be worked in congruence with the highly sophisticated water supply systems and HVAC equipment.
• The architectural lighting team had to coordinate closely with the contractor and design team to ensure spaces within the ceiling could accommodate proper illuminance levels for lab work. Our firm was able to effectively honor the Owner’s wishes to provide the appropriate infrastructure to intricate lab spaces with limited wall access, as walls and doors facing the corridors were utilized for window bays so onlookers could view the lab spaces from outside.
• Our team had to coordinate vast amounts of intricate electrical and mechanical systems while also being aware of the non-renovation spaces surrounding the facilities where our firm was conducting design work. For example, while coordination was ongoing for the lab renovations, offices, and hallways, we had to ensure our designs could be constructed without disturbing the data center housed within the building that serves a majority of the state of Nebraska.
• The team provided telecommunications, audiovisual, and electronic security system design for the project.

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Photography credit: AJ Brown Imaging