Dallas, TX, June 20, 2006 – Jaster-Quintanilla (JQ), the engineering firm that provided structural engineering services for the state-of-the-art, 195,000-square-foot University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston’s School of Nursing and Student Community Center, has learned that the project recently earned a 2006 Top Ten Green Projects Award from The American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment (COTE), according to JQ/Dallas Partner Stephen H. Lucy, P.E.
BNIM Architects of Kansas City, Missouri, collaborated with Lake/Flato Architects of San Antonio, Texas, to design the building, which is expected to use 41 percent less energy than a conventional building and reduce potable water usage by approximately 48 percent. A Gold LEEDTM rating was attained for the building.
Houston’s harsh environmental conditions demanded innovative strategies for the building envelope to deflect heat while maintaining desirable natural light. The project included curtainwall sunshade/sunscreen devices, a customized rainscreen exterior skin, and “green roofs” featuring indigenous plants. JQ Associate and project team leader Scott H. Francis, P.E., said, “Our focus was on developing the structural components of the 8-story integrated building system and the sustainable design elements.” Also designed were structural support for solar photovoltaic panel arrays, and a rainwater harvesting system including storage cisterns at grade and on the roof.
JQ advised selection of appropriate structural building materials that would minimize environmental impact and be available within proximity to the project site, including recycled-content aluminum panels and structural steel, and reclaimed brick and cypress. The building structure, which is primarily concrete and structural steel, features a cast-in-place concrete frame and concrete mat foundation. Francis added, “We worked closely with the construction manager and the concrete supplier to develop and test high volume fly ash concrete design mixes and concrete placement strategies to achieve a 48 percent reduction of portland cement in the concrete mixes.” In addition, 75 percent of the building’s demolition and construction waste was salvaged and recycled.
Lucy said, “Our firm is proud to have contributed our structural engineering and LEED expertise to this pioneer green building project for the Health Science Center.”
With LEED accredited professionals in civil and structural engineering, JQ’s LEED project experience includes City of Dallas Hensley Field Operations Center, Dallas, Texas (Gold LEED), and the Jack Evans Police Headquarters Storm Water Recovery System, Dallas, Texas (Silver LEED rating).