Location
Charlottesville, VA
General Contractor
Gilbane
Size
60261 sq. st.
Photo Credit | Tyler Smith, PM Design Electric Inc. Note | SoSo Limited & Hypersonic designed and installed the Data SculptureOverview
The University of Virginia’s School of Data Science constructed a dedicated building for the University’s newly formed school. This ground-up project featured 4 floors + MEP Penthouse of space for classrooms, offices, working areas, and gathering spaces for students and educators. Items of interest include: Capital One HUB featuring a 2-story video screen, Custom “Data Sculpture” in 2-story atrium, Open Hardware Lab for student research, Custom lighting package for interior and exterior lighting, Exterior patio and stepped pond with custom accent lighting, Smoke exhaust fan system integrated with FA package, ~500 LF feed generator tie-in under formed creek.
Goals
The purpose of the building is to provide a collaborative space for new UVA Data Science students to work and learn. The design team’s motto for the project was “A school without walls” as envisioned by the director of the Data Science Institute Phil Bourne. The building is to be open for all UVA students and community alike. With students enrolled in summer courses, the overall project goal was to have the building ready and accessible for the public for summer sessions.
Project Scope
Design held the electrical and fire alarm package for the building, including office space for 100+ staff, conference spaces, student work areas, classroom space for 340 students, collaboration areas, and other areas supporting the facility. The scope also included integration of an existing generator with (3) ATS devices and a robust smoke exhaust system. Completion of the building for summer students required coordination and creativity from the field team to achieve the desired goals. Design’s input was critical to achieving a complete system on the timeline requested.
Project Outcomes
Getting the School of Data science building constructed on the project timeline to achieve an open building for the public required significant planning and manpower. Design was able to achieve scheduled completion through planning of prioritized items to maintain critical path. Combining the assistance on design process, resource planning, and a robust working crew, Design was able to move past significant barriers that threatened the project schedule. DEI’s resource capacity allowed us to be successful with critical path completion.