This LEED Gold classroom renovation serves as a teaching tool for Building Construction and Engineering Technology students.

 

When the University decided to move new users into this circa 1970-era vocational-technical facility, it afforded an opportunity to rethink the building completely, while upgrading its systems and spaces to meet current accreditation, codes and sustainability goals.  The rear loading dock area became the new main entrance, and the exterior was updated to better relate aesthetically with the neighboring campus buildings.  New fenestration and a clerestory were added to bring daylight into the formerly dark interior spaces.  Lab areas were redesigned to provide more flexibility and the interior was renovated to incorporate state-of-the-art information technologies, new mechanical and electrical systems, and new finishes.  Sustainability was an overriding issue throughout the design process, and the project received LEED Gold certification from the US Green Building Council.  In order to support the Building Construction program, many aspects of the building were purposely planned as teaching tools.  View windows were placed into mechanical rooms, multiple HVAC systems, including geothermal, were installed, monitoring gauges were placed in classrooms, and many ceilings were left open to showcase conduit and duct runs.