University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Engineering Buildings

Champaign, IL

UIUC, MNTL, exterior

Overview

GBA provided engineering analyses of five buildings in the College of Engineering, followed by HVAC upgrades to the Materials Research Laboratory and the creation of a new cleanroom facility at the Holonyak Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory.

Awards

International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories, Sustainable Lab Award (Renovation/Retrofit, Excellence in Energy and Water Efficiency, Micro Nano), 2022

International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories, Sustainable Lab Award (Renovation/Retrofit, Excellence in Energy Efficiency, Materials Research Lab), 2022

ASHRAE Society, Technology Award (Honorable Mention, Higher Education, Micro Nano), 2022

ASHRAE Region VI, Technology Award (First Place, Higher Education, Micro Nano), 2021

ASHRAE Illinois, Excellence in Engineering Award (Micro Nano), 2020

ASHRAE Society, Technology Award (First Place, Higher Education, Materials Research Lab), 2020

ASHRAE Region VI, Technology Award (First Place, Higher Education, Materials Research Lab), 2019

ASHRAE Illinois, Excellence in Engineering Award (Materials Research Lab), 2018

College of Engineering Buildings, Analysis and Renovation Design

This multi-phase project began with HVAC upgrade feasibility studies for five facilities: the Engineering Science Building, Loomis Laboratory of Physics, Supercon, Materials Research Laboratory (MRL), and the Holonyak Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MNTL). The MRL and MNTL were chosen for upgrades.

The MRL project was a phased HVAC renovation with the building fully occupied.

  • Five major air handlers were replaced with two central dual-path (outside and return air), low-velocity AHUs.
  • Sixty lab exhaust fans were replaced with three high-plume exhaust fans with heat pipe heat recovery.
  • Air distribution was changed from high-velocity dual-duct air terminal to low-velocity displacement ventilation, variable-air-volume systems.
  • The MRL project also included a cleanroom renovation, creating a 4,000-square-foot ISO 7 laboratory for student development and manufacturing of silicon wafer integrated circuit boards.

The MNTL project included a 4,000-square-foot renovation to create new ISO 5, 6, and 7 laboratory space for student development and manufacturing of silicon wafer integrated circuit boards.

  • The mechanical design included new air-handling equipment, HEPA and ULPA filtration, toxic and solvent exhaust, high-purity gas distribution, and particulate demand-controlled ventilation.
  • Cleanroom equipment installed included wet etching benches, a thermal evaporator, a high-temperature furnace, and photolithography equipment.
  • Energy conservation measures recommended for existing cleanrooms were also implemented.

View More Projects

Interested in learning more about how GBA can assist with your facility objectives? Our portfolio is a great place to start. 

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This outpatient center serves children and adults; GBA provided engineering design services for the adaptive reuse project.

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University of Kentucky, Lee T. Todd, Jr. Building

An ASHRAE Level 1 audit,  retro-commissioning, and a lab ventilation assessment improved sustainability.