Knoxville Utilities Board Engineering Building

Beginning with a master planning effort on this campus, KUB and the architectural firm identified strategies to add space and functionality to an important existing facility.

To meet the needs of a growing engineering staff and attract young talent, a local utility recognized the need to expand out of its undersized and dated facility. Rather than constructing a new, larger building on an existing green field site, the project team took an innovative approach adding a modern glass building on an established parking area, expanding the capacity of the existing building, and creating a more formal outdoor space for employees to enjoy. A new glass entrance delicately connects the addition and existing building, a move that respects and celebrates the relationship between old and new.

The entire project scope consists of a 3-story, 56,000 SF addition adjacent to the existing Engineering + Operations Building on KUB’s Hoskins campus. The new building is connected to the existing Engineering + Operations Building by bridges at floors 1-3 in a 3-story glass enclosure with a monumental staircase.

The existing campus has a recognizable language characterized by finned, precast concrete panels on a repetitive five-foot rhythm, prevalent among public service architecture throughout the Tennessee Valley. This iconic language was reinterpreted in the new structure, replacing the precast rhythm with a finned, aluminum curtain wall on the same module, maximizing daylighting for all occupants. To help define a new culture of collaboration for the company, all support spaces were consolidated to a support core, maximizing open office space and views. The light-filled, open office is wrapped by various highly transparent collaboration spaces to encourage project teams to connect regularly, formally, and informally. Each floor consists of a core and a large open office suite. The core, adjacent to the atrium, contains restrooms, elevators, storage, printing, and mechanical rooms. A series of offices and conference rooms occupy the west wall of the office suite.

The project has received LEED Certification. In sync with the company’s forward focus on stewardship of our natural resources, the project’s sustainable design strategies are a visual testament to modern resource systems and model responsible leadership toward the environment for the entire community. Sustainable strategies throughout the building include a rooftop solar array, limited water usage inside and out, EV charging stations, efficient lighting, mechanical systems available for demand response, and low-emitting materials selections.

Framework for Design Excellence

Design for Integration – The KUB Engineering Building is designed as an extension of the existing KUB Operations Building, connected by an atrium/entry that provides accessible access to all levels. The Engineering Building is placed to take advantage of solar orientation, views north to the wooded creek, and views to of the campus event lawn to the south.

Design for Ecosystems – It was important for the design team to reduce impacts to the site by building over an existing parking area. The creek and small wooded area to the north was protected during construction and continues to be preserved. Walking trails were built to connect existing trails near the creek to other pedestrian paths on campus.

Design for Water – Building on the site of an existing parking lot minimized the impact on soil and drainage around the site. Runoff is now managed on site, whereas before, water on the parking lot drained directly into the creek. Automatic and low-flow fixtures are used throughout the project to reduce water consumption. Landscaping is resilient and is designed to thrive naturally in the local climate.

Design for Economy – The Engineering Building was delivered economically, yet provides the client with a durable, flexible, and inspiring space to serve their growing workforce.

Design for Energy – The Engineering building takes advantage of solar energy for both water heating and electricity generation. Its east and west walls are more solid to reduce solar heat gain when the sun is at low angles. Sun is filtered on the south face with external vertical fins.

Design for Well-being – The main entry is a common accessible path and provides on grade entry to both buildings. Once inside the atrium, large stair connecting bridges become the centerpiece of the space and invites one for a climb. Elevators are nearby. Carpets, paints, furnishings and other materials and finishes supporting high indoor air quality are used throughout the facility.

Design for Resources – Durable materials with a high recycled content and lower embodied carbon were documented and used wherever possible. Concrete from the existing parking structure on site was recycled and re-used on site.

Construction waste was documented for LEED certification and sorted for recycling.
Design for Change – The Engineering Building was designed for maximum flexibility with the large open floorplan. It also enhances the building it touches by providing higher accessibility, common circulation, and shared amenities. Vehicle charging stations are provided in prime locations around the building to support KUB’s fleet of electrics and an increasing number of personal electric vehicles. Other prime parking areas are designated for carpooling to encourage employees to ride together.

Design for Discovery – The solar arrays on the building provide the client (a local utility) with a facility for studying solar, optimizing the use of solar as an energy source for our region. The designers continue to work with the client to understand how the building’s passive and active features function post-occupancy.