In the News

The new Science Building at San Antonio College offers contemporary laboratories to support the college’s multiple science education programs with a focus on biology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology.

The purpose of the building is embedded in every detail. Organized into seven labs and three rooms that were combined into a single linear prep room, the design centers around the students and employs strategies from advanced research facilities.

Building Upon the Best Ideas from the Bright Minds of our People

One of the fastest growing departments for the College, the Science building needed to be organized to support different programs offered. Our team had to maximize the space to operate most efficiently – designing the labs optimally to interact with each other. We seized an opportunity to provide an innovative linear prep room that resolved several challenges while making back-of-house prep much more efficient and less disruptive.

Narrated by Cindy Villarreal, Antonette Serafin, and Misela Gonzales-Vandewalle

Lab Planning and Efficiency

Some of the labs were designed to be used for more than general biology. We added gas services to those labs. The perimeter is mostly fixed metal casework with sinks and equipment requiring utilities including the fume hood in each lab. Three different rows of lab benches include movable metal casework with mobile peds. At the front of the room in clear view of all students, the instructor station provides a demonstration area, space for writing, and visual display screens. Ceiling service panels were strategically placed to not obstruct student views. The back areas of the labs accommodate equipment, PPE and other storage. Considering the building’s need for longevity, the team made sure the design was flexible enough to support the degree trends in science for the next 10 years. The College invested in rating a few of the walls so that the building can store double the amount of chemicals it currently uses, if necessary for more advanced lab classes.

Narrated by Cindy Villarreal

Mechanical System Considerations

The design needs to consider that labs are kept at negative pressure, with respect to the corridor. They require a lot of exhaust to not let any air (fumes and odor) in the lab filter out into adjacent non-lab spaces. The air-handling unit uses 100% outside air, so none of the lab’s air is recirculated. The lab exhaust is made up of two systems – one dedicated to fume hoods and the other general exhaust. A high plume exhaust fan ejects the air vertically to a plume height of 70’ to not affect adjacent buildings.

We had to consider the potential noise and vibration impact the mechanical room could have on the labs. Coordination between the MEP and the architecture team was essential. The duct work leaving the unit was lined to attenuate the sound. The mechanical room was tight and sound-proofed without compromising the design or required temperature.

Narrated by Pete Pohorelsky and Daniel Cordova

Intentionality

Maximizing the budget made us selective about the portions of the building that we intentionally celebrated through design. The exterior articulation reflects materials and standards of other campus buildings, however the unique metal panel on the north is inspired by patterns that emerge in a DNA sequencing process. The different profiles were arranged to provide a varying rhythm across the façade. This panel acts as a backdrop for the effective outdoor learning space with plentiful power stations, marker boards, wifi, and many plant species integrated in the design that will be used in lessons.

Narrated by Misela Gonzales-Vandewalle

To discuss how these practices could be applied at your institution, contact Misela Gonzales-Vandawalle. Feel free to explore the rest of the SAC Science Building story using these links:

Design Challenges narrated by Davis Eubanks

Furniture and Finish Selections narrated by Kristin Leija and Patricia Runge

Photos by: Joe Aker

General Contractor: Vaughn Construction