unm school of engineering wet labs

ALBUQUERQUE, NM

The UNM School of Engineering Wet Labs project provides new engineering research lab spaces for the Chemical & Biological Engineering and Nuclear Engineering Departments.  The project includes spaces for Resident Assistants and includes the design of 7 diverse experimental laboratory spaces: Plasma & Thin Films Laboratory, Bioengineering Laboratory, Colloids and Interfaces Laboratory, Thermal Hydraulics Laboratory Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies, Micro-engineered Materials Laboratory, Catalysis Laboratory, and the Radiation Detector Development Laboratory. The project required the provision of a new three story laboratory exhaust air shaft and an array of new rooftop exhaust fans which required careful coordination with floors and existing occupied laboratories above. The specific requirements surrounding coordinating the use and safety of hazardous chemical quantities within an existing building was especially important in the context of this renovation.

 McClain + Yu provided the LEED Thermal Comfort Survey which was administered to building occupants.  Feedback from occupants lead to evaluation of set points and local HVAC controls settings.  McClain + Yu, along with MEPT Engineer, Bridgers & Paxton and the UNM commissioning agent, provided support in ensuring that final controls settings on exhaust fans were correct and working according to planned sequences. The project achieved LEED SILVER status. (Photo Credit: James Shive)