No Pressure: Integration of Downdraft Exhaust Strategies into a Flexible Anatomy Laboratory

Jeffrey Fleming, AIA, LEED® AP, Dekker Perich Sabatini
Patrick Watkins, Bridgers & Paxton Consulting Engineers

This presentation will focus on the specific goals, challenges, and lessons learned from the design and construction of a highly flexible Human Anatomy Laboratory at the University of New Mexico's Domenici Center for Health Sciences. Key issues include the design of custom dissection tables, integration of the tables with the exhaust system, the design of the downdraft exhaust system, and how this system tied into the energy savings and LEED goals for the project.

The Domenici Center for Health Sciences is a three-phase project. The human anatomy laboratory is a part of the second phase that was completed in January 2010. The remainder of this phase includes spaces for the medical assessment program, pharmaceutical laboratory, and nursing skills programs. The first phase (completed in 2007) contains meeting spaces, a bookstore, faculty offices, and student spaces. The third phase will primarily include classrooms and faculty offices.

The overarching design goal for the anatomy laboratory was flexibility—both by different user groups and for scheduling. The laboratory can be configured as one large space, four smaller spaces, or any combination thereof as dictated by user needs and schedule requirements. To facilitate instructor/student interaction, it was critical that an open view plane be maintained throughout. The design team worked directly with a manufacturer to custom design a downdraft table that met the specifications of the school and could be easily docked and undocked into the exhaust pedestal to move tables as necessary.

Three main design strategies were key to the success of this project and will be covered in the presentation:

1. Use of overhead, folding partitions to subdivide spaces
2. Easily movable, custom-designed dissection tables that meet the specific needs of the department and connect seamlessly to the exhaust system
3. Design of the downdraft table exhaust to:

  • Balance the exhaust and supply air to maintain negative pressure in the laboratory environment
  • Provide simple control: exhaust air for tables is provided using laminar flow concept where supply air drops from the ceiling directly over each table and is exhausted through table perforations
  • Provide a simple connection from the table to the pedestal

The design team will conclude with lessons learned including:

  • Attention to detail regarding table fabrication, perforation pattern, air flow, and drainage
  • The importance of full size mock-ups for evaluation
  • Vetting acoustical concerns by running exhaust studies on full scale mock-ups
  • Instability of terminal unit control for make-up air at minimum flow resulting in pressure fluctuations and solutions for this condition
  • Results of first semester laboratory use by departmental faculty

Biographies:

Jeffrey Fleming is a principal at Dekker/Perich/Sabatini Architects in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in its higher education practice area. He has more than 25 years of experience in architecture, planning, design, and project management. His extensive experience includes a wide range of clients on a variety of project types, from mixed-use retail/residential projects to corporate office parks. For the past seven years, Mr. Fleming’s focus on higher education has allowed him to apply his interest in energy-saving and sustainable building strategies to such diverse project typologies as university libraries and laboratory facilities, including the award winning Science and Engineering Building at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the University of Nevada, Reno Knowledge Center.

Mr. Fleming received his Bachelor of Arts in architecture from Iowa State University and his Master of Architecture at the University of New Mexico. He has been a member of the American Institute of Architects since 1992 and is licensed in New Mexico, Colorado, and Wisconsin. In 2006, he became a LEED Accredited Professional. He has previously presented papers at the American Library Association's annual conference.

Patrick Watkins is a registered Professional Engineer in New Mexico with eight years of experience at Bridgers & Paxton. He is responsible for all technical aspects of design, staffing, and internal scheduling at Bridgers & Paxton. Mr. Watkins provides quality assurance and reviews of completeness as well as develops fees on projects. He oversees junior engineers and is often the interface between Bridgers & Paxton and the client. He oversees the designer/CADD technicians to assure design is complete. He has provided his engineering expertise on many projects. Mr. Watkins facilities experience includes: laboratories, aquatic centers, auditoriums, casinos, central utilities, detention facilities, hospitals, and educational facilities. His systems experience includes: HVAC, heat recovery systems, energy efficient lighting, specialized ventilating and exhaust systems, plumbing and process piping, special laboratory systems and LEED sustainable design. He has additional experience in variable air volume systems, water source heat pump systems, 4-pipe fan coil systems with dedicated outside air, dual duct systems, constant volume and variable volume packaged rooftop systems, central plant design (chilled and heating water systems) and under floor air delivery systems with perimeter reheat. Mr. Watkins has experience working in laboratories at Amarillo College, University of New Mexico, and for the City of Albuquerque.