University of Texas at San Antonio – Science Research Laboratories Renovations Details

Location: San Antonio, TX

Tom Green & Company Engineers, Inc. (TGCE) was the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing consultant for the renovation of three existing science buildings (Science Building, Life Sciences Building, and Physical Sciences Building). Our services included existing facilities assessments, development of scope and phasing options, development of opinions of probable construction costs for the various options, design, construction administration, and performance testing.

One of the first things UTSA articulated to the design team was that its strategic vision was to become “a model of the new comprehensive university”. Ultimately, this vision took the form of revitalizing and renewing buildings and turning them into state-of-the-art lab facilities with sophisticated building systems and energy conserving features.

The largest portion of the project scope consisted of two one-story buildings with a total of approximately 30,000 SF. These buildings were built in the 1970s and as such, the building systems were in need of full replacement, the exterior was in need of a “face-lift”, and the space usage/layout was in need of a complete re-configuration.

It was determined early on that the existing above ceiling clearance for routing of building systems was not adequate. This challenge was answered with the help of using 3D CAD design tools.

TGCE’s MEP design included not only a wide variety of chemistry and biology research labs, but also a chilled water central plant, a steam boiler central plant, multi-building emergency power system, and specialized high purity water systems, all with significant energy conserving results.