Our Work | Colleges & Universities

Other Views / Back

University of Connecticut
New Social Sciences and Humanities Buildings
Storrs, CT

The University of Connecticut engaged Strategic Building Solutions to serve as Commissioning Agent during the construction of its Social Sciences and Humanities project which includes two new buildings.  The East Building will be roughly 120,000 gsf and will be home to both classroom and departmental office space.  The West Building will be roughly 60,000 gsf of classroom space.  The buildings are to be located in close proximity to one another and are to be located in the center core of the Storrs campus.  These buildings will provide a new home for the social sciences and humanities departments currently housed in the Monteith and Arjona buildings and will bring improved classroom facilities into the heart of the campus. 

Both buildings will be constructed of concrete with a superstructure of structural steel beams and columns supporting metal decks with concrete topping.  The exterior finish systems consist of brick and aluminum window/storefront/curtain wall systems and an insulated roof.  Copper sheet metal cladding will be utilized for the lower levels of both buildings.  Portions of the West Building will incorporate a green roof.

Basements will be utilized for a majority of the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection services, and distribution systems/components.  In general, the amount of mechanical equipment located on roofs will be minimized.  Modern heating, cooling, electrical, lighting, life safety and information technology systems will be installed throughout.  All systems will utilize the existing campus infrastructure, including the campus steam, chilled water, electric, water, fire protection, fire alarm reporting, and building automation systems.

The commissioning process for this project has been developed according to the LEED NC Version 2.2 process to satisfy the requirement for EA Prerequisite 1 - Fundamental Commissioning, and EA Credit 2 – Enhanced Commissioning.  As Commissioning Agent, SBS provides comprehensive services to ensure that the University receives a building that meets its needs and one that operates properly.  Objectives for the project include: 1) minimizing the environmental impact of the construction and performing all of the work in an environmentally sustainable manner; 2) creating a central gathering location for Social Sciences and Humanities students and faculty; 3) maximizing the energy efficiency of the building through the use of efficient equipment, a high-quality envelope, proper control sequences, and occupancy management; and, 4) earning LEED certification as a means of documenting environmental performance.

<< Return to Colleges & Universities