The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford recently opened a new engineering and information technology building that adds urgently needed lab and instructional space to the campus.
The 38,880 sf structure is the new home for the study of Mechanical Engineering Technology, Energy Engineering Technology, and Computer Information Systems & Technology, the latter of which had previously been spread out among multiple buildings.
The $17.69 million facility includes engineering labs, engineering shops, computer labs, the campus data center, active large group classrooms, and faculty and staff offices. The design strategy aligned all functions to open to a two-story collaborative center to enhance visibility, accessibility, interactions, and team building. Additional design features include:
- A centralized commons provides a more social, collaborative, team-based learning model for the campus.
- A cantilevered metal clad faculty office “bar” floats above a mostly glass enclosed collaborative first floor providing a dynamic north edge for the newly formed quad.
- The same module footprint for labs and classrooms enhances flexibility.
- A thick building footprint and strategic integration of glass reduces energy usage while preserving access to daylight and views.
- Exposed ceilings in the shared, centralized maker hub puts building systems on display.
Engineering technology students have access to hands-on labs. A maker space contains milling machines, lathes, welding equipment, metal cutting technology, and 3-D printers and scanners.
Mechanical engineering technology students can design and build a prototype for an industrial process, then test them in labs for fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, strength of materials, and electrical circuit operation. Energy engineering technology students learn about geology, combustion, automation and sensors, biofuels, wood chemistry, wind and solar power, and the chemistry of petroleum and natural gas.
Faculty from the engineering and information technology programs look forward to collaborations, such as competitive team activities, that will benefit both programs. The maker space is an attraction for prospective students in both areas.
“The energy between computer information systems and engineering is important for students,” said Dr. Ken Wang, associate professor and director of the computer information systems and technology program. “They are complementary programs.”
On the building team:
Owner and/or developer: University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
Design architect: HED
Architect of record: LGA Partners
MEP engineer: HED
Structural engineer: HED
Lab Planner: HED
Information and Communications Technology design: HED
Civil Engineer & Landscape: PVE, LLC
General contractor/construction manager: Rycon Construction Inc.
Related Stories
| Sep 19, 2013
6 emerging energy-management glazing technologies
Phase-change materials, electrochromic glass, and building-integrated PVs are among the breakthrough glazing technologies that are taking energy performance to a new level.
| Sep 19, 2013
Roof renovation tips: Making the choice between overlayment and tear-off
When embarking upon a roofing renovation project, one of the first decisions for the Building Team is whether to tear off and replace the existing roof or to overlay the new roof right on top of the old one. Roofing experts offer guidance on making this assessment.
| Sep 16, 2013
Study analyzes effectiveness of reflective ceilings
Engineers at Brinjac quantify the illuminance and energy consumption levels achieved by increasing the ceiling’s light reflectance.
| Sep 16, 2013
Passive solar, enhanced envelope crucial to Univ. of Illinois net-zero project
Passive solar strategies and an enhanced envelope are keys to achieving net-zero on the new 230,000 sf Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering building at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
| Sep 11, 2013
BUILDINGChicago eShow Daily – Day 3 coverage
Day 3 coverage of the BUILDINGChicago/Greening the Heartland conference and expo, taking place this week at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza.
| Sep 10, 2013
BUILDINGChicago eShow Daily – Day 2 coverage
The BD+C editorial team brings you this real-time coverage of day 2 of the BUILDINGChicago/Greening the Heartland conference and expo taking place this week at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza.
| Sep 4, 2013
Smart building technology: Talking results at the BUILDINGChicago/ Greening the Heartland show
Recent advancements in technology are allowing owners to connect with facilities as never before, leveraging existing automation systems to achieve cost-effective energy improvements. This BUILDINGChicago presentation will feature Procter & Gamble’s smart building management program.
| Aug 30, 2013
Modular classrooms gaining strength with school boards
With budget, space needs, and speed-to-market pressures bearing down on school districts, modular classroom assemblies are often a go-to solution.
| Aug 27, 2013
College of the Desert in Palm Springs to produce more energy than it consumes
A 60-acre solar farm next to the College of the Desert in Palm Springs, Calif., along with a number of sustainable building features, are projected to help the campus produce more energy than it uses.
| Aug 26, 2013
What you missed last week: Architecture billings up again; record year for hotel renovations; nation's most expensive real estate markets
BD+C's roundup of the top construction market news for the week of August 18 includes the latest architecture billings index from AIA and a BOMA study on the nation's most and least expensive commercial real estate markets.
