New Health Sciences and Technologies Studies Building
IMEG is currently providing mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, technology, structural, energy modeling, acoustics, and commissioning engineering services for the new Health Sciences and Technology Studies building at St. Louis Community College at wildwood.
The $58.75 million project is part of the community college’s district-wide master plan which identified a growing student population around the Wildwood campus and increased enrollment in Health and Technology programs. The plan estimated space for two new 75,000-sf buildings to accommodate those programs, offer easy access to an existing building, and create a more complete campus feel.
In the conceptual design phase, IMEG and the architect worked with the Owner to develop two conceptual designs —separate buildings, and a combined building that felt like separate buildings but functioned as one for systems efficiency. Due to budget restraints, the combined building was chosen. The 75,000-sf Health Sciences area will provide programmatic and support space for Nursing, Advanced Imaging, Deaf Communication, Physical Therapy/Massage Therapy, Paramedic and EMT, Medical Lab Technician.
The 75,000-sf Technology Studies Program will provide programmatic and support space for STEM programs, Student Services, and an Enrollment Center.
Approximately 15,565-sf of the existing building will also be updated to serve general education, library, and tutoring needs.
The mechanical design of the building includes high efficiency condensing water boilers and water-cooled screw chillers. These systems will work with air handling units (AHUs) to provide heating and cooling. The AHUs included energy recovery ventilators (ERV) and use variable air volume (VAV) boxes with reheat coils for space reheat as needed.
The electrical design features a 480V distribution system with step-down transformations for branch loads. An emergency generator will provide for emergency and optional standby loads. The new electrical infrastructure will also accommodate a 140kW photovoltaic array. Other features will include LED lighting with low voltage lighting controls, 12 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and a fire alarm system with voice communication systems.
Rapid performance modeling baselines were based on energy use intensity (EUI). Renewable energy analysis studied the available roof area for photovoltaic arrays. A geothermal bore field analysis also was performed during the conceptual design. This project is designed for LEED Certification.
The building is expected to open in January 2025.
