The Laboratory's new National Security Sciences Building (NSSB) earned first place in the category of "Design Build" as part of Southwest Contractor magazine's "Best of 2005" competition.
The NSSB Project was judged on the following categories:
• design,
• construction,
• innovation,
• contribution to the industry, and
• overall excellence.
“This project is the epitome of the beneficial nature of design build delivery,” said one judge.
The $97 million National Security Sciences Building anchors the north edge of a master-planned green space that resembles a university campus at Los Alamos’ Technical Area 3.
The seven-story, 275,000-square-foot facility will house the administrative suite for the Laboratory director along with work space for hundreds of scientists. The NSSB will provide office and research space for theoretical and applied physics, computational sciences and administration space for support of the stockpile stewardship mission. The NSSB is scheduled to open this spring.
The building design features an open, collaborative-rich environment for researchers that also will meet strict security requirements for physical access, secure communication, electronic security, acoustical isolation and a robust infrastructure.
“The design and function of this structure is intended to make a signature statement worthy of the Laboratory’s important mission and has permanently changed the skyline of Los Alamos National Laboratory,” said Keith Orr of Deployed Services (PM-DS), project director.
One of the more unique features of this project is a 600-seat auditorium that can alternate from secure to non-secure agendas. Two lobbies and two entry points permit access from outside the security fence or solely from inside the security boundary.
The south side of the building fronting on the green space takes advantage of the sloped grade and incorporates an outdoor lecture area.
While designed as a centerpiece to the revitalization of 50-year-old TA-3, the materials chosen and the construction methods utilized for the NSSB are tried-and-true solutions with long-term durability and maintenance-free life spans, said Janet Lacy, project manager for Chavez-Grieves Consulting Engineers Inc., design lead and structural engineers. The major exterior materials are pre-cast concrete wall panels, composite metal panels, and [a] curtain wall glazing system. The design goal was to provide a facility with low or no maintenance requirements that resulted in long-term durability, weather tightness and value, said Lacy.
While the size of the building and available footprint dictated an unusually tall solution in an otherwise completely low-rise area, the tower is softened by a facade that steps up to the seven-story height. Additionally, in honor of the events of [Sept. 11, 2001], a commemorative piece of the Pentagon after attack is being dedicated as a memorial at the front entry to the building.
“We seized every opportunity to support the personality of Los Alamos citizens, who place a premium on exercise, natural daylight and the environment,” Orr added. The stairwells have glazing and upgraded finishes, and the plaza provides an opportunity to work and relax outside in the high mountain environment. The grassy amphitheater to the south will permit forums or lectures to be conducted outdoors.
The NSSB was honored last month in Albuquerque by Southwest Contractor magazine.
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NSSB Team:
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Keith Orr, Project Director
Mail Stop P137
Los Alamos, N.M. 87544
505-665-1734
Hensel Phelps Construction Inc. Builder
Gary Johnson, Project Manager
P.O. Box 1410
Los Alamos, N.M. 87544
505-667-7772
Chavez-Grieves Consulting Engineers Inc., Design Team Manager, Structural Engineers
Janet Lacy, Project Manager
4700 Lincoln NE
Albuquerque, N.M. 87109
505-344-4080
HDR Architecture, Architect
Suite 530, 5210 East Williams Circle
Tucson, Ariz. 85711-4459
Bridgers & Paxton Consulting Engineers Inc., Mechanical and Electrical Engineers
4600 C Montgomery NE
Albuquerque, N.M. 87108
505-883-4111
Bohannon-Huston Inc., Civil Engineers
Courtyard One, 7500 Jefferson NE
Albuquerque, N.M. 87109
505-823-1000
Gardner Zemke Mechanical and Electrical, Mechanical and Electrical Subcontractor
6100 Indian School Road, NE
Albuquerque, N.M. 87110
505-881-0555
Sites Southwest, LLC, Landscape Architects
Suite 3100, 121 Tijeras NE
Albuquerque, N.M. 87102
505-822-8200
Walker Parking Inc., Parking Structure Consultants
Suite 202, 17409 El Camino Real
Houston, Texas 77058
281-280-0068
