VWCC Stem Building
Roanoke, VA
Branch was selected over national competition for this state-of-the-art, high-tech STEM Building, adding to our impressive science/lab project resume. The 4-story steel-frame building has approximately 72,000sf of high-tech academic classroom, two-tiered lecture rooms, laboratory, and administrative space. It houses engineering and engineering technology programs and includes multiple science, math, computer, electronic, mechatronics, and fabrication labs. A unique feature of this facility is the STEM STREAM area that consists of a teaching flume, interactive display pool, and natural outdoor water environment. Departmental offices, faculty offices, and collaborative student study and gathering spaces are located throughout the building.
Construction Management
Value-Added Preconstruction Services
Branch made several recommendations to the design that saved money for the owner. Including reducing the stair width slightly without affecting emergency egress, changing the type of light-filtering window shades, and simplifying the exterior trellis to use standard dimensions and shapes. All of these changes saved the owner over $500,000.
LESSONS LEARNED
BRANCH TEAM CENTERED PLANING (LEAN) WORKS! | In utilizing Team Centered Planning through our LEAN construction methodology we were able to identify, early-on, that the elevator delivery was going to arrive later than originally planned. Due to the early identification of this constraint, our team was able to re-sequence work to maintain the project schedule.
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing
Hopkins | Lacy, the MEP division of Branch, was selected over national competition for this state-of-the-art, high-tech STEM Building, adding to our impressive science/lab project resume. The 4-story steel-frame building has approximately 72,000sf of high-tech academic classroom, two-tiered lecture rooms, laboratory, and administrative space. It houses engineering and engineering technology programs and includes multiple science, math, computer, electronic, mechatronics, and fabrication labs. A unique feature of this facility is the STEM STREAM area that consists of a teaching flume, interactive display pool, and natural outdoor water environment. Departmental offices, faculty offices, and collaborative student study and gathering spaces are located throughout the building.
Scope of Work:
- Two 1,500 Ton Chillers
- 5,000ft Conduit
- 6.500ft Trench