The new WSU STEM facility is a “hub for interdisciplinary teaching, learning, and innovation.” STEM programs and associated courses are central to the degrees at WSU in downtown Detroit. WSU renovated their existing science and engineering library into a STEM facility to support new programs. The building is centrally located with other buildings that house chemistry, a science hall, biological sciences, an engineering complex, and physics, all of which are at the core of WSU’s non-medical research buildings. Due to the student growth in the STEM related programs, the renovation was a key initiative to enhance and promote instructional needs.
The various spaces in the facility included a hacker space, computer labs, a maker space, STEM commons, 3D printing, electronics/robotics, a student lounge, lecture rooms, prep labs, organic chemistry/chemistry labs, biology labs, physics labs, meeting rooms, and collaboration spaces. This project brought together seven departments in different locations. All spaces, except for organic chemistry and biology labs, were intended for use by multiple departments, and each floor contained lecture and discussion rooms available to all programs. Spaces were designed to encourage academic interface with different departments through flexible and active learning spaces. Floor plans included a mix of room types for further collaboration between students, faculty, and departments.
The renovation included upgrading the envelope, updating the utilities, and replacing the plumbing, fire protection, and mechanical and electrical services. The facility is multi-story with the subbasement and penthouse housing the main mechanical equipment. All existing seven floors plus the basement were renovated for a total of 109,270 sf.
Transforming the original 1966 Science and Engineering Library into a STEM facility required major modification to the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure. New air handling units with energy recovery or run around heat recovery serve the various spaces. A laboratory exhaust system with a heat recovery section was tied into the two units serving Levels 2 through 6 housing the labs and classrooms. Spaces were served by a variable air volume (VAV) system (small touchdown spaces or spaces with fume hoods) or a VAV with active chilled beams and a new condensing boiler plant utilizing a series heating water loop. The STEM facility was connected to the chemistry building and shares the chilled water plant. Electrical brought in new services, generator, power upgrades, and new LED lighting to all spaces. Laboratory plumbing services were routed to the labs. New water and fire protection service, including a fire pump, were also included. New domestic water heaters and a RO system were installed. Part of construction phasing included maintaining access and systems for the chemistry building.
Fishbeck provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural and civil engineering services.
