Shape collaboration
Early in the design process, the team created a concept of “neighborhoods” to support collaboration between engineers and scientists from Notre Dame’s various schools. These “neighborhoods” consist of shared space and core labs, and dedicated spaces. The neighborhood concept also incorporates labs as modules that can be easily slotted into any shell space and reconfigured as needed, allowing researchers to plug and play.
This plan was furthered by developing the ‘L’ shape of the building and its “knuckle.” The knuckle became a unifying design feature and as a collaboration destination. The knuckle includes a public zone researchers can gather, offices for graduate students, and conference rooms. The building’s wings serve as non-public zones, except for the first floor. Labs closest to the knuckle are more standardized for the sharing of space and equipment; labs further from the knuckle are specialized. This space planning served as a project roadmap for initial design and construction as well as future lab module buildouts of the shell space. A small atrium within the second-floor knuckle connects the second and third floors.
The design of the MEP systems in McCourtney Hall optimize flexibility and efficiency while supporting the neighborhood design theme. Early collaboration between engineers, architects, and planners made this possible. Duct work, for example, is manifolded in size to allow supply and exhaust flexibility anywhere in the building. The flexible approach led to a fume hood plan with a maximum number of connected fume hoods for the entire building, regardless of their specific location.
The team conducted a wind study early on to help locate and size the exhaust stacks for safe exhaust of hazardous chemicals. Variable frequency drives allow operation along many operating points for all air handling unit fans, exhaust fans, and pumps. Low-pressure drop coils and filters help reduce fan power and energy use. The use of mechanical controls creates a highly responsive system, using energy and air only when and where it is needed. A supplied air temperature reset exists that enables the HVAC system to be turned down—should an emergency warrant it—but still provide service to critical spaces.
The plumbing infrastructure uses centralized systems to allow easier maintenance and enable easier relocation of services as lab needs change. One of the central design features allowing for this laboratory flexibility are the ceiling interface panels. The services are provided at easy connection points in the ceiling for quick connection and relocation. The flexibility is also supported by typical locations for emergency stations and sinks. Sustainable features abound here as well. Localized vacuum systems and variable-speed air compressors conserve energy, while low-flow water fixtures and metering on a nitrogen tank measured by a central monitoring system reduce use of resources.
On the electrical side, the design of McCourtney Hall allows moving and relocating pieces of equipment to accommodate changes in laboratory equipment needs. Additionally, it enables plug and play functionality and improves maintainability through a main-tie-main service. It also draws out switchgear and the use of raceway ceiling interface panels and busway within labs. There is also an emergency system to provide resiliency to support critical research. An emergency generator and redundant electrical system to reduce disruptions in the electrical supply is also present.
The building’s lighting system is entirely light-emitting diode (LED), with 40 percent less energy use than code at the time the project was built. Daylight and occupancy sensors carefully control energy usage, while allowing users to override the controls as needed.
