Advancing World-Class Research Spaces
University of Wyoming Engineering Education and Research Building (EERB) | Laramie, Wyoming
Part of the University of Wyoming's Tier-1 Engineering Initiative, the Engineering Education and Research Building provides engineering and interdisciplinary research spaces through a collaborative and reconfigurable facility.
About
The Project
The University of Wyoming's (UW) Engineering Education and Research Building (EERB) is comprised of reconfigurable laboratory spaces, faculty offices, a medium classroom, a large auditorium, and collaborative spaces. It includes a Student Entrepreneurship Center, an active-learning, wet laboratory, an advanced manufacturing laboratory, student project spaces, a student innovation center, and makerspaces.
A grand, four-story atrium provides a central gathering area and features displays for research. The facility also contains the world’s largest drilling simulation laboratory. All of the spaces are designed to adapt to a range of teaching functions and technologies.
Fast
Facts
- A Tier-1 college is a nationally recognized research institution. UW chose our team to assist them in their quest to reach Tier-1 with the construction of this new building.
- Scaffolding was specially engineered to endure the persistent 15-25 mph winter winds and gusts of up to 60 mph.
- Lower lab benches have been constructed as modular carts that can move around the room to meet the needs of each research project. Flex power and gas attachments drop down from overhead service carriers to enable the movement of the lab carts.
- Six-inch concrete decks were placed initially, followed by a two-inch topping slab. This significantly reduced the cracking that can happen on single-placed composite decks and enhanced the quality of the polished concrete.
Protecting Against the Wind
During construction, all window openings were temporarily closed off to protect the site and workers from the harsh temperatures and weather. Instead of using plastic sheeting, which does not withstand high winds, the team used metal studs and drywall. This was a more expensive alternative in the beginning, but resulted in a significant savings in maintaining the temporary enclosures. The drywall also made it easier to seal off enclosures and contain the warm air in the building, thereby decreasing temporary heating costs.
Guiding Advanced Systems
The original design included two HVAC hydronic heating and cooling loops. UW took our recommendation to connect the two loops for added redundancy. The HVAC also incorporates an energy recovery system to preheat the heating lines. This provides a return on investment in energy cost savings.
Building for the Future
The EERB was designed with durability and sustainability in mind. Floor-to-ceiling ceramic tile panels serve as impact-resistant wall coverings in the main hallways. Ground and polished concrete floors provide the look and feel of long-lasting terrazzo, but require considerably less labor and materials to construct. Plyboo wall coverings dampen sound and emit no volatile organic compounds.
Protecting Against the Wind
During construction, all window openings were temporarily closed off to protect the site and workers from the harsh temperatures and weather. Instead of using plastic sheeting, which does not withstand high winds, the team used metal studs and drywall. This was a more expensive alternative in the beginning, but resulted in a significant savings in maintaining the temporary enclosures. The drywall also made it easier to seal off enclosures and contain the warm air in the building, thereby decreasing temporary heating costs.
Guiding Advanced Systems
The original design included two HVAC hydronic heating and cooling loops. UW took our recommendation to connect the two loops for added redundancy. The HVAC also incorporates an energy recovery system to preheat the heating lines. This provides a return on investment in energy cost savings.
Building for the Future
The EERB was designed with durability and sustainability in mind. Floor-to-ceiling ceramic tile panels serve as impact-resistant wall coverings in the main hallways. Ground and polished concrete floors provide the look and feel of long-lasting terrazzo, but require considerably less labor and materials to construct. Plyboo wall coverings dampen sound and emit no volatile organic compounds.
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