The Research Center is located on a 21-acre mountain top site in Fairmont, West Virginia. It contains approximately 248,000 gross sf., with a rentable area of 181,000 sf. consisting of office and dry lab space. Covering over 10,800 sf. of sophisticated data center space, this NOAA-GOES-R Computer Satellite Facility was planned within a larger supercomputer center that includes weather tracking Operations and Computer Command Center, offices and conference rooms, a power system that contains an emergency generator, a UPS Battery Room, an electrical switchgear and service and infrastructure for three 16 meter (53ft.) diameter satellite dish antennas. An addition on the 3rd Floor required a modification of the exterior façade. The exterior walls of the data center and operations area were modified to allow for effective humidification to be maintained within the spaces.
After completing the fit-out for NOAA ESCC, KPN’s second project in the I-79 Technology Park Research Center was to fit the program for GOES R into the building. KPN’s experience with renovation work in the building enabled them to develop strategies to design the renovation work with the understanding that there were areas in the building that will be occupied during construction. The Design team was provided by GSA with all the building renovation standards and security design standards for “New Federal Office Buildings” and “Major Modernization Projects”.
A Life Safety study for the entire Lower Level and Third Floor where the fit-out was located was required. Partnering sessions for the entire development team was required by the GSA prior to the start, during and at the end of the project.
KPN Architects was the Architect of Record involved in General Architecture. KPN was also responsible for overall coordination; design of structural/exterior/shell building construction required for HDDC, review of general submittals, Construction Administration, LEED NC submission for base building and LEED CI submission for improvements. There was extensive coordination required with the existing systems to provide for new MEP and IT systems. Demolition within existing spaces was coordinated to allow specific to be vacated and/or relocated prior to start of construction. The overall building is not designed to meet LEED Silver requirements (it was originally designed to meet LEED requirements in 2001) but the improvements were designed to meet these requirements. A number of unique energy-efficient strategies were used to pursue LEED certification.
