Gateway Community College

New Haven, CT

 
 

Building Name:  Gateway Community College

Location:  New Haven, CT

Building Occupant Name:  Gateway Community College

Occupancy or function types:  Assembly (A-2, A-3), Business (B), Educational (E), Mercantile (M), Storage (S-2)

Size (total square feet):  369,000 SF

Number of stories above grade / total levels:  5 Stories, 9 levels total (including parking garage) above grade

Primary Project Team:

Owner:  Gateway Community College (www.gwctc.commnet.edu)

Architects: Perkins & Will (www.perkinswill.com)

Structural Engineer:  The Thornton-Tomasetti Group (www.thettgroup.com)

MEPFPT Engineer:  BVH Integrated Services, Inc. (www.bvhis.com)

Civil Engineer:  Stantec Consulting (www.stantec.com)

Lighting Consultant:  Horton Lees Brogden Lighting Design (www.hlblighting.com )

Dates of construction:  2009 - 2012

Actual cost information:  $147 Million

Project delivery method:  Design - Bid - Build

Architecture

Features:  The current Gateway Community College project is a means to merge various programs located on the Long Wharf and North Haven campuses in a location in downtown New Haven.  This development will add adequate space for the expanding enrollment.  The four story buildings total 360,000 SF and estimated at $147 million to complete. 

Design and Functional Components:  Designed around an elongated atrium—that acts as an “interior street” for student and faculty gathering—Gateway’s building spans two blocks and over George Street.  A multistory walkway with spectacular glass walls connects the two main towers.  As an educational facility, GCC contains a wide variety of spaces.  The first floor is home to a three story library, outdoor patios and playground, and community center.  Classrooms, laboratories, and offices can be found on every floor.  Six-hundred additional parking spaces are also included in a 6 level parking garage. 

Major National Codes:  IBC (2003), IEBC (2003)

Zoning:  Business District D (Central Business), Institutional Development Classification

Historical Requirements of Building or Zone:  N/A

Building Envelope Walls:  The foundation and basement are cast-in-place concrete which extends to grade.  Multiple exterior wall systems are used, and are as follows:

Building Envelope Roofs:  Three roof assemblies are used in this project and include:

Special Features:  LEED® Gold Certification, the first in the state of Connecticut.  This new campus will make use of alternative energy technologies including solar, hot water, and photovoltaic panels. 

Construction:  Not constructed.  Start date is tentatively designated for 2009.

Structural:  The primary structural system is a typical wide-flange layout of columns, girders, and beams.  Wide-flange columns have multiple depths, which typically include 8, 10, 12, and 14 inches with varying pounds per foot.  The Floors above grade are composite metal deck, which use steel deck coupled with (lightweight or normal weight) concrete as a dual floor system.  The four typical floor systems are:

S1—Total depth: 5 ¼”  Concrete: LWT  Metal Deck: 2” 18GA.  Concrete Topping: 3 ¼”
Slab Reinforcement: WWF6X6-W2.9XW2.9  Stud Length: 4 ¼”

S2—Total depth: 5 ¼”  Concrete: NWT  Metal Deck: 2” 18GA.  Concrete Topping: 3 ¼”
Slab Reinforcement: WWF6X6-W2.9XW2.9  Stud Length: 4 ¼”

S3—Total depth: --  Concrete: --  Metal Deck: 1 ½” 18GA.  Concrete Topping: --
Slab Reinforcement: --  Stud Length: -- (Type B roof deck)

S4—Total depth: 8”  Concrete: NWT  Metal Deck: 3” 18GA.  Concrete Topping: 5”
Slab Reinforcement: WWF6X6-W2.9XW2.9  Stud Length: 7”

The floors are supported by the beams which run to girders, and are then connected to columns.  The column load is then carried into footers below grade. Concrete footers are located below the basement (North Tower) and below grade (South Tower).  A 5” slab on grade tops the footings on these levels.  Full-height trusses support the walkway and are visible from the inside and out; creating an interesting and contemporary structural identity.

Mechanical:  The central plant consists of three fire-tube boilers and two centrifugal water chillers.  During off peak hours (at night) the two chillers produce ice which is then stored and used to cool distributed air during the day.  This air is allocated by six air handling units located on the roof of the fourth floor.  One cooling tower is also located on the roof.  Single duct air terminal units account for local reheating of air in independent spaces.   

Electrical:  The utility service entrance (awaiting response on voltage rating) is fed to a 15KV switch and located in the basement of the North Tower.  Incoming power is the split to two 2500 KVA step-down transformers which feed two 4000A, 480Y/277V, 3Φ 4W main switchboards which are located in the North Tower.  The 1000KW emergency power generator is controlled by four automatic transfer switches (one 800A standby and one 200A emergency from each main switchboard).

Lighting:    Electric lighting is a balance between function, performance, and appearance.  The majorities of lamp types are linear/compact fluorescent and metal halide, and are designed to the lowest wattage consumption to meet LEED® criteria.  Time clock control as well as daylight and occupancy sensors are used to limit the operation time and electric load consumed by different fixtures.