Randall B. Terry Jr. Companion Animal Veterinary Medical Center

Project name: Randall B. Terry Jr. Companion Animal Veterinary Medical Center

Location: Raleigh, N.C.

Firm name: RMF Engineering

Project type, building type: New construction, hospital

Project duration: 3 years

Project completion date: Sept. 1, 2011

Project budget for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection engineering only: $15.3 million

Engineering challenges

The College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at North Carolina State University (NCSU) is ranked in the top three premier veterinary schools in the nation. The Randall B. Terry Center was conceived with the goal of enhancing the education of the nation’s best veterinarians. This state-of-the-art facility, designed by Small Kane Architects, PA, of Raleigh, provides services for university research and teaching activities, as well as services to the general public seeking veterinary medical treatment for both large and small animals. The new Terry Center more than doubles the size of the current animal hospital. It is a multilevel medical facility, featuring suites to accommodate surgery, radiology, endoscopy, a 24-hour emergency department, and several specialty clinics. Additional building features include a linear accelerator, café, and outdoor courtyards. A multilevel connector provides interface between the existing large animal and new companion animal facilities. This expansion will help accommodate nearly 25,000 animal medical cases, more than double the current capacity. The challenge was to provide a state-of-the-art medical training and treatment facility in a suburban campus setting, with maximum operating efficiency, while maintaining air quality at healthcare standards.

Solutions

As the success of the CVM drives its expansion, university personnel have relied on RMF for planning and design of campus infrastructure, as well as building systems, for over 10 years. The initial study and engineering master plan for the original 300,000-sq-ft building and energy plant provided for improvements to IAQ, laboratory and classroom environments, system reliability, efficiency and maintainability, and phased capacity increases of utilities to support campus development. Campus infrastructure systems including medium-voltage electrical, chilled water, steam, and domestic water were upgraded in preparation for the Terry Center, with chilled water and steam extended through a walkable “super tunnel.” The Terry Center project is pursuing U.S. Green Building Council LEED certification. Additionally, the design adheres to Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International and ASHRAE standards for animal care facilities. It not only meets animal facility standards, but an elevated level equal to human hospital standards in the areas of surgery, emergency department and treatment areas, as well as the associated systems providing HVAC, medical gases, and emergency power. All engineered systems are designed for optimal safety and reliability, as well as achieve a high level of comfort control, efficiency, and maintainability.

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