University of Chicago William Eckhardt Research Center
Project Description
The Hill Group negotiated the HVAC for this 265,000 square foot, five story plus two basement levels building. The facility for the Division of Physical Sciences includes specialized laboratories, imaging suites and cleanrooms that will allow for state of the art research. The Center will house the University’s new program in Molecular Engineering in addition to supporting the Astronomy and Astrophysics Department, the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Studies, and the Enrico Fermi Institute.
The University is using an integrated project delivery approach to the construction process to enhance overall quality, to accelerate the project schedule and to reduce the cost of construction and operation.
The project includes: three 100,000 CFM custom VAV air handling units with heat recovery arrangements; twelve smaller air handlers to serve cleanrooms, imaging suites and other dedicated spaces; six 60,000 CFM high velocity dilution exhaust fans; 222 chill beams; 150 VAV boxes with hot water reheat coils; 161 laboratory supply VAV boxes; and 342 laboratory exhaust VAV boxes. Exhaust ductwork will be welded stainless steel or epoxy coated welded stainless steel. Steam and chilled water are provided from the campus distribution system. A steam pressure reducing station will be installed. Seven hot or chilled water hydronic circuits, each with two or more heat exchangers, will serve the building. Besides conventional laboratory piping (oxygen, compressed air, natural gas, vacuum, high purity water, dry nitrogen and liquid nitrogen) piped throughout the facility, numerous specialty gas piping systems for cleanrooms are provided.