24 September 2019
Douglas Androsiglio
In order to improve the energy efficiency of and modernize the lab space for the Engineering building, UCCS is seeking grants and planning renovations.
According to Kent Marsh, associate vice chancellor for Campus Planning and Facilities Management via email, the objective of the renovations is to making the Engineering building more energy efficient, to lower operational costs, to bring the building up to regulation and to update the lab space to current research needs.
“The three most important goals for this project are to increase energy efficiency, meet programmatic needs, and bring everything up to code,” said Carolyn Fox, executive director of construction and planning, “When the building was opened, it was about microelectronics. Now we are at the nanoscale. We need to bring the learning facilities up to date to meet the growing tech.”
The building, which was approved for construction in 2000 and did not open its doors for classes until 2009 according to UCCS’ Communique, cost $51,1 million dollars and has a LEED gold certification from the US Green Building Council. LEED certifications rate the energy efficiency of buildings through an independent verification process. Gold is the second highest rating a building can meet, behind platinum.
UCCS wants to improve on the energy efficiency of the building.
“Every building on campus has a vestibule, except for the Engineering building,” Fox said. “Conditioned air just goes right outside when students enter and leave the building. Preventing the air from leaving will save energy and reduce cost.” The only thing keeping renovations from going into full swing is the matter of funding.
“The project is currently proposed in two phases,” said Marsh. “Best case scenario, assuming the state agrees to fund both phases would include beginning design work as early as July 2020, with construction of phase one completed in 2022 and 2024 for phase two.”
The first phase would be a complete remodel of the second floor and would improve the cooling of the building through rooftop insulation and changes to the heating and cooling systems.
The second phase would improve and replace classrooms and labs.