Building Statistics Continued:

Construction:

Mortenson Construction has been the general contractor for all three phases of the Intramural Building, as well as Moody Nolan has been the architect for all three phases. The project delivery was delivered as a design/bid/build method and the estimated cost of the project was just over 17 million dollars.  The project is organized as a CM at risk project.  Mortenson is backed by many subcontractors and aided by the design team.  Many of these parties are located in the sections above.  For more information on any of the subcontractors or companies involved please visit their websites.  

 

The project seeks to renovate the existing basement and add a new section of the building.  The new construction will see a two story addition that will house a rock climbing wall, an indoor turf field, and various lounges and examination rooms.  The addition will also contain a mezzanine that will connect to the existing one.  The addition will add just under 62,000 square feet to the building.  The project is currently ongoing and the end of the project will make the facility accessible to the student body for the entire fall 2017 semester.  The building will be up to date and provide the students with one of the best facilities in the country.  

Site logistics are important as student safety is the biggest concern on the site.  A emergency lane must be maintained through the site at all times in order to serve the IM building in case of an emergency.  The site requires no extra support of excavation.  The size of the site allowed for the use of conventional excavation techniques.  Pumps needed for dewatering were on hand if needed by the crew to remove water from the site.   All utilities will be connected through the existing building and tap into Penn State’s main water, steam, and electric lines.  

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Structural:

The structural systems begins with cast in place spread footings.  In total there are 10 different sizes of footings.  The sizes of the square footings range from 3’-0” x 3’-0” to 8’-0” x 8”-0”.  Also included are rectangular footings at 6’-0” x 3’-0”.  Each of the footings are between 1’-0”  thick to 2’-2” thick.  Reinforcement for these footings begin at 4 #5 bars each way for the smallest footing (3x3) and go up to 7 #7 bars each way on the largest footings (9x9).  Steel columns, beams, joist and girders will make up the structural system of the building.  3 inch steel deck will serve as the decking for poured slabs and the roofing system.  Various shapes and sizes of steel members were used.  They range from wide flange shapes to hollow structural section to k series joists.  The most common size for wide flange beams are the W26x16.  They are used to frame the outside of the building and are the main beams connected to columns.  The most common size columns are the hollow structural sections at 12x12x1/2.  Field connections are to be bolted, while shop connections were to be welded or bolted depending on strength and distribution requirements.  The steel columns were designed to withstand a 675 foot-pound moment.  This is achieved by the shear studs that are present on all major loaded beams.  

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Mechanical:

The primary mechanical system used for this phase of the project is called a hybrid ventilation system.  This system utilizes the use of automatic windows and fans to bring in outside air when certain moisture and temperature levels are met.  This system cuts down on the energy to heat and cool the space during times of preferable weather.  To provide the necessary cooling and heating for non-ideal times the addition will seek to add 7 new air handling units ranging in size from 2100 pounds (224x51x38) to 8600 pounds (293x12676).  The largest unit, which will supply the turf field will supply approximately 23400 CFM.  Also included in the addition will be 12 new exhaust fans, 6 unit heaters, and 36 VAV terminals spread as necessary throughout the building.   As mentioned previously a split air conditioning unit will be installed, having an outdoor and an indoor unit.  A finned tube radiation system is part of the existing building, and will be added upon by the addition.  The bulk of the equipment that will be added to the addition will be found in the basement mechanical rooms.  There are two major mechanical rooms in the building, as well as several roof top units.  Both mechanical rooms are located in the existing building.   

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Lighting:

The lighting system of the addition seeks to mimic that lighting of the existing building.  The lighting system consists of a sensor system that automatically dims lights when the spaces are day lit to a certain level. These sensors help to reduce unnecessary energy costs.  The space also consists of several types of lights all of which are LED. These include pendant mounted cylinders, recessed indirect fixtures, display case lights, surface mounted high abuse fixtures, surface mounted track lights, recessed linear fixtures, suspended linear fixtures, circular surface mounted fixtures, strip fixtures and 3” circular surface mounted fixtures.  

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Electrical:

The electrical room is located in the newly renovated mechanical room residing in the existing building.  A new 75KVA transformer will serve the addition adding to the other 75 KVA transformer already on the site.  The addition will also add 6 new panel boards ranging from 400 amps to 100 amps.  These panel boards include three 400 amp panels, a 225 amp panel, a 150 amp panel board, and a 100 amp panel board.   The 400 amps panels will serve various loads including most of the lighting and the receptacles in the space.  These panels also will provide spare loads for the addition of future equipment in the space.   The 150 amp panel will be added and the receptacles in the existing building will be rewired to be supplied by this panel board.  The primary load for the 225 amp panel board will be for the lighting above the track and new field.  Finally the 100 amp board will only be used to power new mechanical units for the space.  

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Transportation:

No elevators will be present in the addition of the building.  The existing IM building has elevators which will allow for occupants to access the lower level.  The space does contain ramps which allow for access to the turf field and any other part of the main level of the building.

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Fire Suppression:

The building utilizes two types of sensors to indicate a possible fire.  Both smoke and heat detectors will be implemented into the space.  The dual sensor system will allow for the sprinkler system to only go off if a fire is very probable, to prevent an accidental let off of the system.  The sprinkler system also features both recessed upright sprinkler heads, and recessed wall mounted heads.  The water main used for the fire protection system comes from the basement of the building.  The system is automatic sprinkler system with a standpipe design.  

 

Telecommunications:

The addition will tap into telecommunications already present in the building.  They include voice, data, and cable.  The addition will house several large monitors and TV’s which will have internet access as well as cable TV access.  Phone lines will also be included in the space to be able to contact other parts of the building and the rest of the campus, if necessary.  

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Building Enclosure and Architecture:

Glass and Glazing: 

Various glasses and glazings were used to enclose the building.  Each tpe of glass serves a specific purpose.  Meeting the correct R-value or allowing optimal day lighting are just two of these purposes.  The glass used can mostly be seen in the curtain wall systems included in the building.  The types of glass include:

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1. GT-2T: 3/8" Clear Glass

2. GT-4: 1/4" Anealed Laminated Glass

3. GT-3T: 7/16" Laminated Glass

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Masonry: 

The masonry on the building features face bricks.  The bricks match the existing buildings architecture and hold the Penn State architectural look while also promoting the modern, high end facility look of the building.   

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Metal Wall Panels:

The use of manufactured metal wall panels were also used on the addition.  These panels can be more clearly seen in the rendering included below.   

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Roofing:

 The type of roofing is a modified bitumen roof.  This type of roof consists of several layers of insulation and base sheet which are molded together using a hot asphalt or other such substance.

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Structure:

The structure consists of steel beams with a mostly brick and mortar facade.  The face bricks sit on metal studs with block backing.  Glass of varying thickness will included into the curtain wall system as well.  All connections will be 

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Code:

The addition was designed to be in line with the International Building Code of 2009.  This is currently the official building code of Pennsylvania.

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Zoning:

The are of the building falls into the University Planned District sub district 5.  This is one of the zones managed by Penn State and is part of the planned development.

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Historical Requirements:

As of now the site has no special requirements in terms of protecting heritage trees or preserving the surrounding area for historical purpose.

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Sustainability Features:

The addition is projected to be LEED Silver, falling in line with the existing building.  The addition features a few new systems that are very sustainable.  These systems include a hybrid ventilation system that utilizes 100 percent outside air at ideal temperatures and humidity levels, low voltage LED lights that are able to sense natural light levels and adjust their power usage, and all low flow water fixtures.