By Lindsey Coulter

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (DHSU) recently celebrated the completion of a critical update to the facility’s air handling units to better support medical and educational operations. The $10 million project required two years of study and design followed by two years of construction.

SUNY DHSU engaged engineering firm RMF to address concerns about the hospital’s five rooftop-mounted air handling units (AHUs), which were nearing the end of their useful life and used R-22, a refrigerant no longer manufactured due to environmental concerns. The RMF team completed a comprehensive field survey to document existing conditions. Airflow readings were recorded to determine baseline performance, while pressure readings were documented to determine operating static pressure and record heating water flow.

RMF analyzed the findings to develop a feasibility report that provided upgrade and replacement options that highlighted maintenance impacts, energy efficiency optimization, and the least disruptive construction phasing and construction cost estimates. The evaluation included a code assessment, potential upgrades to the energy management and electrical systems, ventilation air calculations using energy modeling software, full heating and cooling load calculations, filtration options and review of the existing ductwork.

Developed in coordination with the State University Construction Fund and DHSU, RMF’s implementation included concept-level phasing and sequencing plans for replacing the three AHUs serving the Labor and Deliver, NICU and PIRR/MRI critical care units. RMF also designed the new AHUs sized to accommodate more outside air than required by code –– requested by DHSU to provide increased capacity of Remote Terminal Units for future expansion –– and incorporate high-rating filters and ultraviolet lighting to improve indoor air quality. The existing electrical and building automation systems were extended to provide power and controls for the new equipment.

As the affected areas had to always remain operational, the project was completed in three construction phases and used newly installed equipment, including temporary units requested by DHSU which were installed for NICU and PIRR/MRI areas during construction to provide temporary air while subsequent equipment was replaced. Construction staging was planned to coordinate with DHSU operations and remain within the urban site’s limited available space.

“We aimed to enhance the capabilities of the hospital while ensuring there was little impact to its operations throughout construction, underscoring the importance of planning,” said Rich Heim, project manager at RMF. “We needed to be mindful of the sensitive and urgent needs of the areas the units impacted, implementing careful coordination that facilitated a seamless transition.”

DHSU is the only academic medical center in Brooklyn and trains more New York City doctors than any other medical college. It has also received $1.1 billion in state investment for its larger renovation to preserve and enhance service to the community.

“This project was designed and executed with the hospital’s future flexibility in mind,” said Yan Li, project manager at RMF. “To support modifications for years to come, we provided 10 percent additional airflow capacity, impacting the labor and delivery, NICU, and PIRR and MRI units and giving them the opportunity to advance their level of care as each practice evolves.”

Li added that, as safety precautions increased in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the firm wanted to make sure the hospital was equipped to handle similar situations should they arise in the future.

The project team also included architecture firm Azar Design Co., structural engineering firm Siracuse Engineers PC, hazardous material abatement firm Encorus Group and cost estimator Trophy Point.

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ONEONTA, N.Y. — The State University of New York Oneonta (SUNY Oneonta) campus is a model of sustainability in action. The university has amassed numerous green accolades over the years, and over the past decade has doubled down on reducing its environmental impact. ��

Since 2015, the institution has hired an energy manager, installed EV charging stations, added an Environmental Sustainability major program, installed building water meters, published a greenhouse gas report,��developed a Campus Climate Action plan and much more. Along the way, SUNY Oneonta has completed several LEED-certified construction and renovation projects. The Physical Sciences Building marked the campus’ first LEED Gold certification in 2017, and the most recent LEED accolade marks another important milestone.��

A Platinum Achievement��

SUNY Oneonta’s Alumni Hall earned LEED Platinum certification earlier this month, which is the highest level of recognition award by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Alumni Hall, which earned LEED v4 ID+C 82 points, marks the campus’ first LEED Platinum building, bringing the SUNY system to a total of nine��LEED Platinum facilities, and is an important step toward meeting SUNY Oneonta’s Clean Energy Master Plan goals.��

“Green buildings save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions and create healthier places for people to study and work,” said Lachlan Squair, the associate vice president of facilities and planning, in a statement. “The renovation of Alumni Hall is an important milestone in our SUNY Oneonta Clean Energy Master Plan, which seeks to make the campus carbon neutral by 2045, eliminating the use of fossil fuels for building operations.”��

Steps Toward Sustainability��

The journey to LEED leadership was extensive. Alumni Hall was an existing facility that was built in 1958 to serve as the campus library. To reimagine the decades-old facility as a modern, sustainable teaching and learning space, the structure required a $22 million overhaul, which was led by Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation of Albany, N.Y. The project, which began in 2021, ultimately transformed the��61,920 square feet of building space��into a vibrant, modern facility. The building is now home to classrooms, offices and meeting spaces dedicated to the Business, Economics and Political Science departments as well as the Division of University Advancement.��It includes active-learning classrooms, entrepreneurial spaces (including a simulation room where students can learn��stock trading), study and lounge spaces, and a top-level conference room with direct views to the campus and neighboring greenspace. ��

Bringing functionality into the 21st century also required a plethora of sustainability and energy-efficiency upgrades. Ample glazing improved daylighting throughout, and the building is heated and cooled by ground-source heat pumps and an array of 39 geothermal bores. This project also earned the 2024 AIA NYS Excelsior Award for excellence in adaptive reuse.��

Current Milestones and Future Goals��

The new and improved Alumni Hall officially reopened to the campus community in September 2023, marking the final project in the University’s 2013-23 Campus Facilities Master Plan.��

“This is an important milestone in SUNY Oneonta’s Clean Energy Master Plan, which seeks to make the campus carbon neutral by 2045, eliminating the use of fossil fuels for building operations,” Squair said at the grand opening, according to a university statement. “Renewable energy purchasing offsets the electrical power required to operate the building. This building is extremely energy efficient, reducing campus carbon emissions by 130 tons annually through new technology and building materials.”��

Even with a pinnacle LEED certification under its belt, SUNY Oneonta continues to strive for greater resource conservation and energy savings. Other improvement projects include renovations to Fitzelle Hall, the campus’ Welcome Center and the Red Dragon Outfitters building. The University was also recognized as a REV Campus Challenge Leader for 2020 from NYSERDA, applauding its clean energy investments as well as its work to integrate sustainability into curricula, research and development.��

These green values are shared across the SUNY system and the state of New York. For example, the State University Construction Fund Directive 1B-2 includes a systemwide commitment to clean energy, energy-saving retrofits on existing buildings and construction of new buildings to achieve net-zero carbon standards. Meanwhile, state-level mandates have also pushed SUNY campuses to prioritize sustainability. Executive Order 166 requires the campuses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050, while the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act requires carbon-free electricity systems by 2040. SUNY Oneonta’s proactive steps toward sustainability position the university well to meet these ambitious goals.��

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OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. — New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced a $100.2 million state investment towards transforming the 1980s-era Natural Sciences Building on the State of New York University (SUNY) Old Westbury campus. The three-phase project will bring the SUNY system one step closer to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its collegiate network.��

The project will modernize the Natural Sciences Building through a new temperature-regulating geothermal system, energy-efficient glazing, external sunshades, low-flume hoods and a green roof. Home to major STEM programs such as biological sciences, the second-largest program by enrollment at Old Westbury, the revitalized building will also offer state-of-the-art teaching laboratories, a greenhouse and teaching garden, and numerous instruction and collaboration spaces.��

“Thanks to the substantial state investment secured by Gov. Hochul, this project represents a significant transformation for the Natural Sciences Building, which was built over four decades ago,” said John B. King Jr., SUNY chancellor, in a statement. “With 40% of state-owned buildings, SUNY has the ability to help achieve Gov. Hochul’s ambitious climate goals through exciting projects like this one.” ��

The Natural Science Building project will be completed across three phases. According to a statement by SUNY Old Westbury, the first phase will focus on replacing outdated laboratory spaces, relocating specialized research equipment and creating surge space to lay the groundwork for the modernization and expansion. Phase II will focus on the construction of 20,000 new square feet of academic space, while Phase III will include additional interior renovations and exterior rehabilitation, transforming the Natural Sciences Building into a state-of-the-art education and research facility. Phase I is estimated at $100.2 million, while Phases II and III will bring the total project cost to $200 million. Work on Phase I, which commenced on Feb. 5 with a groundbreaking celebration, should be completed in 2028. ��

“We are proud that this building, once complete, will exceed the goals SUNY has set for us when it comes to energy and carbon reduction,” said Timothy E. Sams, Old Westbury president, in a statement. “As our campus mission demands of us, we will focus on environmental sustainability throughout the course of this work and in the years ahead as we create a facility that will prepare students for work in hospitals, laboratories, wind and chip manufacturing, public health, and more that are so vital to their own and New York’s success.”��

The renovation and deep energy retrofit project is part of the system’s net-zero Climate and Sustainability Action Plan, which aims to decarbonize the SUNY system—impacting 64 schools and an estimated 1.3 million students. In addition to lowering systemwide emissions, the plan will also increase research opportunities and expand green workforce development efforts. Further, it defines actions related to campus and building operations and capital project development to design for resiliency. The plan was developed by the 53-person SUNY Sustainability Advisory Council and includes insights from campus sustainability leaders and public feedback.��

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NEW PALTZ, N.Y.—The new Engineering Innovation Hub (EIH) building at the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz has been completed.

The two-story facility houses the College’s relatively new and highly popular bachelor’s degree program in mechanical engineering, and includes innovative teaching and research lab spaces, as well as the school’s Hudson Valley Additive Manufacturing Center (HVAMC).

The new building was made possible by Governor Andrew Cuomo’s NYSUNY2020 Challenge Grant competition, in which SUNY New Paltz was awarded $10 million to support academic programs that translate directly into economic development in New York State. The College also received $1 million through the Governor’s Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council’s annual Consolidated Funding Application.

“[The] opening of the EIH at SUNY New Paltz is another great example of the growth of our high-tech sector in the Mid-Hudson Valley that will result in jobs and economic expansions throughout the region,” said��Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. “We will continue to partner with higher education institutions and industry leaders to bring these types of visions into reality to inspire New York’s newest generation of innovators.”

Said SUNY New Paltz President Donald P. Christian, “The College extends its deepest thanks to Governor Cuomo and his team for recognizing the value of this project and its educational and economic benefits for the Hudson Valley region. This investment is projected to yield a regional economic impact of more than $75 million, and about 195 jobs, over 10 years.”

PC Construction, which has offices in Georgia, Maine, New Hampshire, New York and North Carolina was general contractor on this impressive project. Urbahn Architects, a full-service planning and design firm based in New York City, designed this project.

“The $13.5 million, 19,500-square foot EIH houses faculty research and teaching labs, and state-of-the-art 3D print prototyping labs to support the engineering program and the work of companies partnering with SUNY New Paltz and HVAMC,” said Urbahn Architects Principal-in-Charge Natale V. Barranco, AIA, LEED AP.

Designed to meet a LEED Silver sustainability certification, the new Hub will support and diversify the College’s rapidly growing engineering programs, and foster collaboration between the College and local industry.

“The site of the new building is centrally located on campus, which required strict construction safety and logistics protocols to ensure the welfare of workers, students, faculty, and visitors during construction,” said PC Construction Project Manager Michael Davies.

“Relying on our team’s expertise in LEED certification procedures and the Lean Construction method, we have delivered a highly sustainable and energy efficient facility where engineering students can excel for years to come.”

Daniel Freedman is dean of the School of Science & Engineering and director of the HVAMC, which will operate a laboratory and offices in the new building. The HVAMC has been providing education, guidance, CAD design, advice on materials used for additive manufacturing, and 3D printing services to SUNY New Paltz students and educators, as well as to entrepreneurs and businesses since 2013.

“The Engineering Innovation Hub will significantly aid SUNY New Paltz in educating engineering students who will provide technological leadership in the Hudson Valley,” said Freedman. “It will also assist the��wide variety of��regional companies��that make use of��our state-of-the-art 3D printing technology and expert staff.”

Its collection of 3D printers constitutes some of the most advanced technology at any academic laboratory in the U.S. The College is the first institution of higher education in the nation to be designated a Stratasys-MakerBot Additive Research & Teaching or SMART lab by Stratasys, the world’s leading 3D printing hardware and systems company.

The Hub will also house the College’s popular new program in mechanical engineering, which has seen rapid enrollment growth since launching in 2014 in response to the critical need for highly skilled engineers in the Mid-Hudson Valley region.

The building—located within SUNY New Paltz’s main campus—was erected on a former parking lot near the existing engineering building, Resnick Hall. Urbahn Architects designed the Hub to allow for a potential expansion to the east, if the program’s growth requires more space in the future.

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NEW PALTZ, N.Y. — Construction on a new Engineering Innovation Hub is currently underway at the State University of New York (SUNY) New Paltz campus. The new facility will provide state-of-the-art education to SUNY’s engineering students as well as assist the��wide variety of��regional companies��that will be able to use the 3-D printing technology at the new hub.

The architect on the project is New York-based Urbahn Architects, with PC Construction out of its Poughkeepsie, N.Y., regional office serving as the general contractor. The 19,500-square-foot Engineering Innovation Hub is expected to be complete by the end of 2018, and has a budget of $14 million. A groundbreaking took place for the project in October 2017 with SUNY President Donald P. Christian leading the ceremony.

The new Engineering Innovation Hub will help support and diversify the college’s engineering programs and address a critical shortage in engineers needed to serve advanced manufacturing interests in the region, according to Christian. In addition, the new hub will house the headquarters and laboratories of the university’s Hudson Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center (HVAMC), provide space for potential business partners under the state’s START-UP NY program and serve as a business incubator for technology and engineering startups in the mid-Hudson Valley.

Urbahn designed the new hub to allow for potential expansion if the program’s growth requires more space in the future. Of particular note, the hub will also provide a 3-D print prototyping lab to support the engineering program and the work of companies partnering with SUNY New Paltz and HVAMC.

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo’s NY SUNY 2020 Challenge Grant program awarded $10 million to the project because of the school’s goals to improve economic development in New York state, using its high-quality educational and research programs. The university also received $1 million through the governor’s Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council’s annual Consolidated Funding Application.

“The project had a tight, predefined budget based on a grant received from New York state,” said Ranabir Sengupta, AIA, LEED AP, associate principal at Urbahn. “The mandate from the college was to make the building distinctive, sustainable and modern to showcase the expanding engineering school and make a mark on the campus. The design challenge was to reconcile the two, and I think we did it successfully.”

The building site of the new hub�� is a former parking lot located near the existing engineering building, Resnick Hall. The new building is centrally located on campus, requiring strict construction safety and logistics protocols to ensure the welfare of workers, students, faculty and visitors, according to Edward A. Kellogg, regional manager and construction executive at PC Construction.

The building is designed to meet LEED Silver standards. Sustainable features will include an on-site stormwater detention system, high-efficiency plumbing fixtures, energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems, daylight harvesting and the use of recycled content for materials.

The design of the 661-square-foot entrance lobby is bright and open, wrapped in a glass storefront and glazed curtain wall systems to allow natural light into the area, with textured porcelain ceramic tile making up the lobby floors and gypsum board for the ceiling, according to Nandini Sengupta, LEED AP, senior associate at Urbahn Architects. In addition, the lobby will feature cabinets for the display of 3-D–printed artifacts as well as a textured wall art invoking 3-D–printed panels, with splashes of the school’s navy blue and orange colors.

The highlight of the building’s architecture is a cubic form that perches over the entrance plaza, according to Sengupta. “The textured, dark-gray cube with a luminous metal soffit and a backdrop of lighter forms announces the building as an important presence on the campus,” said Sengupta. “The design relates to neighboring buildings and opens up views to a quad, diagonally opposite it.”

To read the entire article, check out the March/April issue of .

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Established in 1912, the college is now the largest tech school within the SUNY system, boasting more than 9,400 students. “Creating a spacious and attractive new home for our student organizations and clubs is the new chapter for this historic and beloved campus landmark,” said Farmingdale State College President John Nader in a statement.

The $12 million project consisted of a total gut and renovation with partial structural redevelopment of the brick, masonry, concrete and steel building. Likewise, the complete mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems were replaced, and ADA-compliant modernizations and energy-efficiency upgrades were also implemented. The project was overseen by general contractor Stalco Construction and BRB Architects (both based in New York).

Originally used as a power plant, the college wanted to preserve the structure’s early 20th century industrial aesthetic. “We set out to create a design that would have an industrial look, in recognition of the structure’s original purpose, while updating it to create modern and attractive interiors. To do this, we included partially exposed brick walls and structural steel, and we maximized the natural light coming in by adding clerestory windows,” said Joseph Zappulla, the architect-in-charge at BRB, in a statement.

The radio station now has an office and a broadcasting studio, with a DJ room installed inside of an acoustical box. The studio is equipped with an acoustically rated door and windows, five layers of sheetrock with acoustical clips between the wall layers and acoustical ceiling tiles on acoustical springs and additional Guilford of Maine FR701 2100 acoustic wall panels.

There is also a new architectural stairway, connecting the building’s two floors, over which Stalco installed polyethylene, fluorescent, globular-shaped pendant lamps, suspended at different levels. Festooning the top of the stairs are arty portraits of rock ‘n’ roll grandsires John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix.

“The functional program for the interiors was developed by a committee of college employees and students, and was finalized in the early stages of the project,” said Zappulla. “The team wanted to create a vibrant and exciting environment that would incorporate all student activities and unite them in one place.”

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