Project description
The Aerospace and Engineering Sciences Building is a 140,000-square-foot, four-story facility that houses classrooms, industrial design studios, engineering and science laboratories, computer labs, offices, a gallery, and an open lounge and forum space for student collaboration. Located in the center of the Metropolitan State University of Denver campus and directly across from the Pepsi Center, the building is designed as a high-visibility landmark that reflects the university’s focus on innovation.
Cator, Ruma, and Associates provided the mechanical design and contract administration for the project. Because the building includes industrial design labs, prototyping spaces, metal and plastics work areas, and specialized teaching laboratories, the mechanical systems required extensive coordination. The goal was to integrate piping, ductwork, lab gases, and exhaust systems into the architecture in a way that remained tidy, functional, and visually intentional.
The building features variable-volume air-handling units, water-cooled chillers, cooling towers, and condensing hot-water boilers, supported by chilled-water, condenser-water, and heating-water distribution pumps. Air handlers include circulation pumps for freeze protection, and the building hosts dedicated exhaust systems for welding, painting, grinding, fume hoods, and dust collection used in prototyping labs. Critical spaces use pressure-independent air valves and control valves, all integrated with a central building automation system that provides the university with clear insight into performance.
The result is a flexible, high-performance academic environment where engineering, fabrication, and design programs share a space that supports both technical complexity and architectural polish.
Guiding Principles for the Design
- Technology on Display
- Seamless Integration with Architecture
- Safety and Performance in Labs
- Flexibility for Evolving Programs