University of Tennessee Zeanah Engineering Complex
University of Tennessee Zeanah Engineering Complex
Awards Category : : New Construction
The University of Tennessee Zeanah Engineering Complex is a new gateway to the Tickle College of Engineering. Now the largest academic building on UT’s campus, this new 232,205 s.f. facility is designed to contain flexible laboratory spaces, laboratory support spaces, general-purpose classrooms, student spaces, innovation labs, maker spaces, and administrative spaces.
The site exists between Neyland Stadium, the historic campus on the Hill, and the Tennessee River. The project is designed to sit within the Collegiate Gothic style of the University of Tennessee’s campus while addressing its more modern neighbors and providing expansive views to the river to the south. The building utilizes materials such as brick and intricate limestone that celebrates the campus language and stitch into the existing campus fabric. With its unique sighting, the new building along with the site design works to create a thoughtful that provides not only a new gateway to the College of Engineering, but a new entrance from the Southeast side of the campus that engages Neyland Drive and the Tennessee River.
The interior of the building focuses on two main design ideas: Engineering on Display and Diversity and Inclusion. Through the use of materials, tectonic connections, layering of spaces, and transparencies, the concept of engineering on display is not only seen through the physical architecture of the space, but also truly highlights the incredible innovation happening within. The theming and branding focus heavily on displaying a diverse population and collaboration spaces are all designed to be universally inclusive to all, both top priorities for the College of Engineering which is working diligently to attract these underrepresented populations.
Building Area: 232,205 SF sf
Cost per square foot: $462.82
Construction Cost: $107,490,000
Date of Completion: August/2021
Client: University of Tennessee
General Contractor: Blaine Construction
Electrical Consultants: Newcomb & Boyd (MEP) – Jeff Linde, Partner, (404) 730-8400, jlinde@newcomb-boyd.com
Ross Bryan Associates (Structural) – Brent Thornton, Vice President, (615) 329-1300, thornton@rossbryan.com
Ross/Fowler (Landscape) – Patrick Brown, President, (865) 637-1100, mfowler@rossfowler.com
West, Welch, Reed Engineers, Inc (Mechanical) – Ken Stuckwish, (865) 588-2431, kstuckwish@wwrengrs.com
Engineering Consultants:
Other:
Photography Credits:
1. Atrium Stair acts as a ribbon tying the building together while highlighting tectonic, engineering components. Image Credit: Denise Retallack
2. Site plan - UT aims to maximize the site while responding to the surrounding context
3. South entry plaza – glass hanger doors allow student labs to bleed into the exterior plaza. Image Credit: Denise Retallack
4. Corten stair tying all departments together. Image Credit: Denise Retallack
5. Material and Tectonics - focal points of interior finishes provide visual learning tools. Image Credit: Keith Isaacs Photography
6. The Innovation Collaborative Studio provides a one-of-a-kind technology-rich hands-on Maker Space with high bay labs. Image Credit: Keith Isaacs Photography
7. Reconfigurable active learning classrooms (top image by Denise Ratallack), collaboration space carved out of the atrium (lower left image by Denise Retallack), and small, informal collaboration space (bottom right image by Keith Isaacs Photography)
8. The five story atrium features inclusion through design. Image Credit: Keith Isaacs Photography
9. The facility also incorporates sustainable elements such as UTK’s first major green roof. Approximately 30% of the roof is vegetated/green roof. Image Credit: Denise Retallack
10. North Façade facing the campus’s historic “Hill.” Image Credit: Denise Retallack