University of Texas – BELO Center for New Media – Austin, Texas

Project Description:

The 120,000 sq. ft., five story building for the Moddy College of Communications is a state-of-the art facility that reflects the changing nature of broadcast journalism. The facility has multi-use classroom space, a fully functional radio studio for KUT, a 300-seat auditorium, a 120-seat lecture hall, teaching labs, research and seminar space and café and lounge areas. Additional features include digital signage, image projection and a dramatic stairway.

The project includes a complete new onsite utility production and distribution system including a 250 ton chilled water distribution system directly connected to the campus chilled water utility loop system and a 300 MBH steam to hot water heat exchanger system and heating water distribution system. New mechanical systems were designed to meet building demand loads including N+1 redundancy. A complete DDC instrumentation and controls package was designed and produced for the building including detailed control diagrams, sequence of operations and points list. The DDC system was fully integrated into the University of Texas campus front end FAC-Net system.

Services Provided:

Guerra Engineering provided complete mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection programming, engineering design and construction administration services.

Awards / Recognition:

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Excellence in Construction Award, USGBC LEED Gold Certification, 2013 AIA Austin Honor & Design Awards, Merit