Construction crews are hard at work on the University of Nebraska – Omaha (UNO) campus to bring the Biomechanics Research Building Addition to fruition. The Biomechanics Research Building is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated solely to this area of study where faculty and students are at the forefront of cutting-edge biomechanics research.
Biomechanics Research Building Addition
Schemmer designed the 30,760 SF Biomechanics Research Building addition that will more than double the size of the existing building. The existing building was completed in 2013, which was also designed by the firm. Spaces in the new addition include:
- A lecture hall;
- laboratories;
- a new, improved and much larger machine shop; and
- offices and collaboration space for researchers and students on three levels
Specialized Space Configurations and Environments
The addition design incorporated specialized space configurations and environments for items such as:
- virtual reality equipment
- 3D metal printer
- special temperatures for cockroaches
Virtual Reality Equipment
The building addition is designed to accommodate “six degrees of freedom” virtual reality equipment. Biomechanics researchers will be able to study human movement in a virtual reality environment. The equipment required specific features of the space that it will occupy, as well as electrical and IT needs.
3D Metal Printer
A member of the faculty performs research related to 3D printing and fabricates inexpensive prosthetics for children using plastics. The building addition will have a metal 3D printer which requires a specialized environment: mechanical, electrical, fire suppression and architectural systems are all atypical. The printer is also a large and heavy piece of equipment and the structure addressed this, as well as the path for movement into the room.
Special Temperatures for Cockroaches
Another researcher on staff, studies the movement of cockroaches, which are being used as tools to help design robots. The lab spaces for this research required special temperatures, as well as ensuring the insects could not escape from the confines of the lab.
Transforming a Vision into a Reality
Construction began on the addition in Spring 2018 and is expected to be completed in September 2019.
“I feel honored that Schemmer was entrusted to design this facility. I have really enjoyed working with the Biomechanics team, and learning about their amazing research and its practical applications. Throughout my 37-year career as an architect, this project stands out as a special one. We have had a great team that has been involved with this project and each and every one of them have played a part in making it successful,” said Schemmer’s Pat Birch, AIA, Project Manager.
Schemmer provided:
- architecture;
- interior Design;
- mechanical,
- electrical,
- structural,
- civil and geotechnical engineering; and
- survey services for the project
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