Instructional and Research Laboratory Building

The complex includes microelectronics, computer technology and CAD laboratories in addition to seminar rooms, classrooms and office spaces located along an open two-story, mall-like spine. This 200-foot long element provides the central circulation for the west end of the campus by interconnecting two existing university buildings. The two-story spine also serves as a meeting place for students and facility members

The research complex includes special electrical laboratories equipped for instruction and research in high voltage applications in addition to a high-bay area which houses the plastics processing facility. The complex is a transitional facility between research and industry. Plastics and metallurgical laboratories are designed for flexibility and future growth.

This 54,485-sf complex creates a distinguished entry to the campus -- from its previous back door parking and service area entry.

Project Information

Building Owner:

Pennsylvania State University Erie, The Behrend College

Building Location:

Erie, PA UNITED STATES

Project Type:

New Construction

Principal Building Function:

Research Laboratory Building

Project Delivery Method:

General Contractor

Project Timeline

Sep 1991	Planning Start
Nov 1991	Design Start
Mar 1993	Construction Start
Jun 1994	Completion
Last known status: Completed

Construction Cost:

$5,320,000

Cost Per Sq. Ft:

$98

About These Cost Figures

Building Information

Project Includes:

Computers
Education
Education: Classroom
Education: Lecture Or Seminar Hall
Engineering
Laboratory: Research
R&D

Total GSF:

54,485

Total NSF:

32,211

Efficiency:

59%

Building Services:

Compressed Air

HVAC Req:

.82 cfm/nsf

Laboratory Parameters

Casework Mat'l:

Fixed wood, modular with plastic laminate tops

Project Team

Architect

Burt Hill

Builder

H. Platt Company

Consultant - MEP Engineer

Burt Hill

Consultant - Structural

SEC, Inc.

Supplier - Building Automation Controls

Voltec Inc.

Supplier - Casework

Fisher Hamilton

Supplier - HVAC

Air Enterprise, Inc.

Profile Created 06/01/1994

Last Updated 04/04/2006

About the Reported Cost Figures

The cost figures reported are supplied by the firms that submitted these projects for publication, which in most cases are the designers or builders. Whereas these sources are intimately familiar with their projects, they may not be fully aware of the owners' finally-realized and recorded costs. In some cases, costs are truly and completely accounted for, and in others they represent a near approximation of the final costs. Costs have not been adjusted for year of construction, nor has any attempt been made to make regional cost adjustments.

Further, costs are not comparable on any kind of detailed standard costing model. Hence, it is possible for the cost of one building to include a steam boiler, while the cost of a comparable building might not include the boiler, if steam is being supplied from an already existing campus grid. Or, in another case, a building might include excess boiler capacity to supply steam to another building. Some submittals include fees or unusual site improvements as part of the construction costs, which others do not.

Fig. 1

Floorplan

Fig. 2

Exterior