The University of Massachusetts' new $25M Engineering Laboratory II is a 60,000 SF state-of-the-art facility with over 40,000 SF of wet research and teaching laboratories. A 200 seat auditorium, connected to the main building by a glass atrium, contains a tiered lecture hall and distance learning classrooms.
Because the University wanted to maintain scenic views on the campus, the auditorium construction site was depressed. To maintain floor alignments between the auditorium and the main building, ceiling heights had to be reduced, resulting in tight space for mechanical and electrical systems installation. No HVAC equipment could be placed on the roof of the auditorium, and no wiring or equipment could be installed in the glass atrium between the main building and the auditorium wing.
RDK coordinated closely with the project architect to design building systems which met the facility's aesthetic as well as technical requirements within the many equipment installation constraints.
UMASS Engineering Laboratory...
