Work Performed

Southland Industries provided design-build HVAC and plumbing services for the new 98,694 square foot lab building and 5,300 square feet central utility plant. This project is seeking LEED Platinum certification for the utilization of sustainable construction and renewable energy.

The new 98,694 square foot lab building consists of math and science lecture rooms and approximately 25,000 square feet of laboratory space. The laboratory space includes 31 fume hoods, 90 fast-acting venturi valves, domestic hot and cold water, a lab vacuum system, natural gas, emergency eye and shower stations, as well as individual emergency shutoff valves for safe operation. Water softeners were installed to support autoclaves along with point-of-use deionized water stations to support lab preparation rooms. Additionally, standalone DX systems running 24 hours per day and 7 days per week were put to use in the data rooms and telecommunication spaces.

Building space consists of open and private office space, conference rooms, teaching rooms, an atrium, laboratory rooms, laboratory prep rooms, a sheriff's office, restrooms, and storage space. By utilizing sustainable construction and renewable energy, this project is expected to receive Platinum LEED certification.

Project Highlights

• This was a fast-track design-build project.
• Southland used BIM 3D coordination.
• The project utilized photovoltaic array to help support LEED Platinum design goals.
• The HVAC system uses 100% outside air for the laboratories with heat recovery.
• The projected is being 100% commissioned with a measurement and verification plan to document energy savings.
• Systems, pumps, and motors are all utilizing variable speed drives and variable air volume.
• An emergency smoke evacuation system is tied to the atrium of the building.