Wyoming’s World-Class Research Facility
University of Wyoming Science Initiative | Laramie, Wyoming
Completed as GE Johnson Construction Company
The Science Initiative facility is pioneering the way for the University of Wyoming’s Top-Tier Science Initiative Program, which is focused on enabling world-class research and education that will strengthen the foundations of Wyoming's present and future economy.
About
The Project
The facility houses two new research centers: the Center for Advanced Scientific Instrumentation and the Center for Integrative Biological Research. Strategically placed collaboration spaces serve to develop interdisciplinary research activities involving chemists, physicists, astronomers, and biologists. Special features include laboratory systems to support greenhouse applications, a cleanroom, a vivarium, BSL 2, and molecular and organismal biological research. The research facilities include a 6,400-sq.-ft. greenhouse on the roof level, including 12 separate greenhouses and two walk-in growth chambers.
The new Science Initiative building includes a concrete foundation and structural steel frame with a composite concrete floor system. Exterior walls consist of steel studs, insulation, and stone masonry veneer, interlaced with a curtainwall glazing system.
Adjusting to New Ideas
After construction on the Science Initiative had started, a 6,400-sq.-ft. greenhouse on the roof level was added. Separate meetings with trade partners, designers, and user groups took place to ensure proper alignment with building and coordination of 12 separate greenhouses and two walk-in growth chambers.
Also after construction had begun, a campus landscaping and pedestrian path master plan was awarded to our team. This required logistical coordination to relocate temporary offices and staging areas, resequencing of utility installation, and rerouting fire access lanes late in the project, while maintaining schedule on building exterior activities.
Constructing Around the Weather
Due to the complexity of the building’s structural steel, the project team worked with the architects and engineers to implement shotcrete shear cores for the stairwells and elevator shafts. This allowed the steel erection activities to begin early. The shotcrete core walls were installed concurrently with the structural steel, creating a three-month time savings in structure erection.
The early completion of the structural steel activities provided a spring and summer install of the building enclosure, which is critical in the often harsh winter weather and high winds of Laramie, Wyoming. This enclosure minimized the amount of temporary enclosure elements needed for the project to maintain heat during the following year’s winter months, saving time and money.
Strengthening the Roof
To add to the quality and craftsmanship of the roof, the project team recommended plywood sheathing as the penthouse metal roofing system, above and beyond the roofing manufacturer requirements. This provided a more rigid assembly to stand up to the harsh weather conditions of the region, and limited the number of fasteners that would be required through the waterproofing membrane, ultimately reducing the likelihood of leaks.
Adjusting to New Ideas
After construction on the Science Initiative had started, a 6,400-sq.-ft. greenhouse on the roof level was added. Separate meetings with trade partners, designers, and user groups took place to ensure proper alignment with building and coordination of 12 separate greenhouses and two walk-in growth chambers.
Also after construction had begun, a campus landscaping and pedestrian path master plan was awarded to our team. This required logistical coordination to relocate temporary offices and staging areas, resequencing of utility installation, and rerouting fire access lanes late in the project, while maintaining schedule on building exterior activities.
Constructing Around the Weather
Due to the complexity of the building’s structural steel, the project team worked with the architects and engineers to implement shotcrete shear cores for the stairwells and elevator shafts. This allowed the steel erection activities to begin early. The shotcrete core walls were installed concurrently with the structural steel, creating a three-month time savings in structure erection.
The early completion of the structural steel activities provided a spring and summer install of the building enclosure, which is critical in the often harsh winter weather and high winds of Laramie, Wyoming. This enclosure minimized the amount of temporary enclosure elements needed for the project to maintain heat during the following year’s winter months, saving time and money.
Strengthening the Roof
To add to the quality and craftsmanship of the roof, the project team recommended plywood sheathing as the penthouse metal roofing system, above and beyond the roofing manufacturer requirements. This provided a more rigid assembly to stand up to the harsh weather conditions of the region, and limited the number of fasteners that would be required through the waterproofing membrane, ultimately reducing the likelihood of leaks.
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