Adaptive Reuse & Earthquake Design & Top Secret Facilities
Client: US Department of Energy (DOE); Atomic Research Complex
Location: Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Project:
The firm provided architectural design services and managed engineering services of a joint venture team for the conversion of an existing warehouse building into: specialized laboratory spaces, auxiliary offices and seminar rooms for instructional purposes, cargo/transport area with a rolling crane for material handling, lounge and eating area, and a seperate new chemical waste storage facility.

Details:
Due to the top level of security required, buildings were supplied with laser and motion intensity security systems. The buildings were designed structurally to include an earthquake resistant framework for new and existing walls. Completely new mechanical with special air cleaning components were required; and computer controlled electrical systems were designed and incorporated. The 8,000sf lab structure was existing two stories concrete masonry unit exterior walls with a tubular steel frame skeleton this was reinforced to exceed the local seisimic zone requirements.

The new 3,000sf chemical waste storage facility was designed from highly specialized specifications provided by the DOE incorporating selective radiation blocking membranes and non-corrosive materials throughout the interior spaces and overall building. This facility was also designed structurally to include a earthquake resistant framework. The containment ability of this facility is to store radioactive waste for a 100 year shelf life.