Science Facility Three-Math, Technology and Science Education

A variety of technological features are incorporated into the classrooms and lecture halls, including: data outlets for laptop computers at each seat in the lecture halls; computer and media labs with equipment to allow students to create educational videos and CDROMs; and built-in video projection systems and cameras to allow students to tape themselves conducting lessons.

The two-level building is designed in response to its programmatic components, as well as to accommodate an 18-foot slope of the site. The plan is organized horizontally into a series of three zones:

the public zone, the teaching zone and support areas. The teaching zone is a corridor gallery which leads directly into the back of the five lecture halls, and to the front door of the Learning Resource Center. Lecture halls are designed with stepped floors, but with level access at both the front and rear to accommodate the disabled and equipment. Support areas include prep and storage space for the building's mechanical and electrical rooms. On the second level, behind the Learning Resource Center, are located faculty offices, support, storage and shop areas for the science education program.

Science Facility Three mediates between the brick architecture of the north campus and the concrete architecture of the south campus by weaving together these materials. Arcades and exposed structures are cast-in-place concrete. The building's north facade is a glass curtainwall with metal detailing and articulated with a series of bay windows. The remainder of the building is clad with a blend of three tones of brick, derivative of other brick used on campus. A cylindrical clerestory element centers over the Learning Resource Center.

Project Information

Building Owner:

Western Washington University

Owner Contact:

Rick Benner, Facilities Manager

Building Location:

Bellingham, WA UNITED STATES

Project Type:

New Construction

Principal Building Function:

Biology Teaching Laboratory, Classrooms and Computer Lab

Project Delivery Method:

General Contractor

Project Timeline

Jun 1992	Planning Start
Nov 1992	Design Start
Feb 1995	Construction Start
Sep 1996	Completion
Last known status: Completed

Project Cost:

$18,073,349

Construction Cost:

$8,600,000

Cost Per Sq. Ft:

$214

About These Cost Figures

Building Information

Project Includes:

Biology
Computers
Education
Education: Classroom
Education: Lecture Or Seminar Hall
Education: Multimedia
Laboratory: Teaching
Office: Researcher

Total GSF:

40,771

Total NSF:

23,500

Efficiency:

58%

Building Population:

806

People Density:

50 gsf/person

Building Services:

Hot water and cold water, compressed air (low pressure)

Office Size:

139 NSF

HVAC Req:

2.5 cfm/nsf

Structure/Foundation:

Steel driven piles foundation and reinforced concrete structural system

Laboratory Parameters

Casework Mat'l:

Plastic laminate base and upper cabinets with epoxy resin countertops

Fume Hoods:

3: 4' and 2: 5'

Project Team

Architect

Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects LLP

Builder

Impero Construction

Consultant - Electrical

Sparling Inc

Consultant - Laboratory Planner

McLellan & Copenhagen LLC

Consultant - Mechanical

Abacus Engineered Systems, Inc.

Consultant - Structural

KPFF Consulting Engineers

Supplier - Building Automation Controls

Landis & Staefa, Inc.

Supplier - Fume Hoods

H.H. Hawkins

Supplier - HVAC

Governair

Profile Created 09/01/1996

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