In the decades since Begley Library was built in 1978, the role of college libraries has evolved from repositories for books to centers for creativity and collaboration. Rejuvenating the library for today’s academic needs meant rethinking the entire two-story space to develop a modern Learning Commons, complete with meeting rooms and quiet spaces, connections for technology, and a café serving the 4,000 students attending SUNY Schenectady County Community College (SCCC). Envision Architects and SCCC enlisted the GPI Buildings Group to provide a wide range of engineering solutions across disciplines for this $10.1M project.
This gut renovation involved 30,000 SF of space, including a major structural reconfiguration enabled by creating a two-story opening between the first and second floors, which removed 1,300 SF of concrete slab on metal deck as well as 12 steel beams. The new 50’ x 20’ opening creates an airy, light, and welcoming space illuminated by a monumental architectural lighting fixture designed by GPI in coordination with the architect and lighting manufacturer. The ornamental fixture is the centerpiece of the new open space and features a honeycomb theme that is echoed throughout the library on walls, floors, surfaces, and other lighting.
GPI also provided a wide array of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire safety solutions, including a new roof-mounted dedicated outside air system (DOAS) that provides ventilation through new and existing ductwork. Designed to handle 10,000 cubic feet per minute and powered by variable speed fan motors, the DOAS exceeds code-required ventilation and enhances air quality. It required reinforced steel framing and features vibration isolators and sound attenuators to quietly operate above the library and adjacent sound-sensitive theater. The energy recovery ventilation system design revised zoning and relocated heat pumps to improve temperature control. A new non-condensing, gas-fired hot water boiler maximizes energy efficiency. Direct digital controls for the new HVAC equipment are integrated into the existing Johnson Controls Metasys building automation system. New fiber optic and copper telecommunications cabling connects new voice and data outlets to new IT closets. Fire protection systems were upgraded with new manual fire alarm stations, smoke/heat detection and audio/visual alarm devices, carbon monoxide detectors, fire alarm relay modules, and rolling fire doors. GPI’s solutions complied with New York’s Energy Conservation Construction Code.
Project Highlights
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Owner/ClientState University of New York System
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LocationSchenectady, NY
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Size14,000 sqft
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ServicesElectrical Engineering
Fire Protection Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Plumbing Engineering
Structural Engineering