Transforming the most unpopular building on campus
Chemistry-Physics Building, 3rd Floor Renovation, and Building Envelope - University of Kentucky
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The Chemistry-Physics building on the University of Kentucky’s campus has been a hub for research since 1962. It was once the most advanced science facility in the region. However, despite several renovations, it lacked the physical and functional attributes needed to attract top-tier researchers to the University and had a negative reputation among students and faculty. Recognizing the facility's importance, the University engaged Omni to design a multi-phase building revitalization, which included a renovation of third-floor research facilities, a new three-story atrium, and a complete replacement of the building envelope. Our challenge: keep the building open for learning during our work.
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During the first phase of this project, we focused on the third floor. Because the lower floors needed to remain operational during the renovation, the existing central chase, which contains ductwork and piping, needed to stay in place. We made this an organizational feature, clustering new research labs on either side of the chase to maximize air distribution efficiency. This shifted the racetrack corridor closer to the exterior perimeter of the floor, allowing all offices and workstations to be located along the exterior walls for optimal daylighting and views. The design and configuration of the offices and workstations were adapted to accommodate today’s multi-generational workforce through various collaboration zones, unassigned work areas, and huddle rooms. Two work cafés turn the traditional break rooms into vibrant work zones that support interaction and collaborative, multi-disciplinary research.
The first phase also required a complete redesign of the building’s exterior, including replacing the entire curtainwall enclosure, construction of new entrances, egress stairs, a service elevator, a loading dock, an expanded penthouse, and other building support functions. The redesign of the exterior was implemented with three goals:
respect modernism, improve the main entrance, and better integrate building support functions. Working within the existing design language, we updated the appearance while respecting its original modern aesthetic. The new building skin relies on aluminum curtainwall for most of the enclosure, as did the original, but with greater transparency and much higher performance.
The two original main entrances were located at inside corners and difficult to find. The new design moves the two entrances beyond the face of the one-story form so they are much more approachable. The main entrance on the southeast corner extends the full height of the four-story rectangle for better visibility, significantly increasing the presence of the south elevation and making a gesture towards a new science building to the south.
The original structure was not designed to have a loading dock or service elevator, and code changes affecting airflow forced numerous exposed air-handling units to the roof. To integrate these support functions more seamlessly, we expanded the equipment penthouse, allowing us to enclose equipment to reduce visual clutter, improve performance, and ease maintenance for the entire HVAC system. New high-velocity exhaust stacks eliminated the “birthday candle” stacks on the roof. We added a one-story loading dock and service elevator into the new vertical forms, integrating them into the overall composition.
UK’s revamped Chem-Phys building sets the university apart as a high-ranking research facility. It remains a busy building on campus while offering researchers a modern, functional environment for discovery and collaboration.
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