The Illustrative Master Plan, based on Concept D, features a number of refinements including an energy plant located centrally in the 50-acre site, north of the Conference Center adjacent to the Phase II building.

The Illustrative Master Plan also includes an expansion of the McDermott Building, which will visually tie the existing building with the newly developed design given direction found in the Campus Design Guidelines. It will be located to the east of the McDermott Building and the proposed parking garage.

Another refinement is a reoriented garage adjacent to the northernmost building on the 30-acre site. The new orientation reflects a layout more likely to respond to the column grid of the building. As with the other garage/building combinations, if the building is smaller than 250,000 GSF, the lower parking requirement can be accommodated by a stand-alone parking structure.

The campus landscape concept is articulated in the Illustrative Master Plan. The creek is the focal point of the 50-acre site and will be developed as a pedestrian oriented amenity. A trail system incorporating passive and active recreation will link courtyards and plazas in association with buildings along the stream. These areas can be used as studying, contemplating, and meeting places. The trail continues to Main Campus through the "Golden Triangle" site. This connection is seen as a logical link to Main Campus, creating a unified campus for UTHSCSA.

The Illustrative Master Plan represents future development to be achieved in a fifteen-year planning period. This includes an implementation and phasing strategy that incorporates development corresponding to a Phase I and three subsequent phases. Additional development could also occur across Floyd Curl Drive.

Phase I

Implementation of Phase I includes new facilities, site development improvements and infrastructure. Facilities that would be constructed as part of Phase I include:

• Children's Cancer Research Center

• Cancer Research Center (Adult)

• Conference Center

• Addition to McDermott Building

• Parking Garage

• Energy Plant

Site development and related improvements that could be constructed as part of Phase I include:

• Improvements to Floyd Curl Drive.

• Improvements to site entrances.

• Entrance features (signage/landscape).

• Building access and service road.

• Pedestrian plazas associated with the cancer facilities and the conference center.

• Overhead pedestrian link to CTRC.

• Supportive infrastructure and lighting.

Phase II, III, and IV

Implementation of Phase II, III, and IV each include new facilities, site development improvements and supporting infrastructure. The creek amenity should be implemented as part of Phase II. Facilities that would be constructed as part of Phase II, III, and IV include:

• 250,000 GSF laboratory and administration facility.

• Associated parking structure for 470 vehicles.

Site development and related improvements that would be constructed as part of these phases include:

•  Improvements to portions of Floyd Curl Drive.

•  Improvements to access roads.

•  Entrance features (signage and landscape).

•  Building access and service roads.

•  Associated plaza and service roads.

•  Supportive infrastructure and lighting.

Costs have been estimated to implement the Master Plan through the fifteen-year planning period. The cost analysis includes estimates for new facilities, construction as well as supporting infrastructure, and improvements. The cost analysis for new facility construction is based on parameter costs compiled by UTHSCSA for Phase I development. Site development and improvement costs were estimated based on similar projects in the San Antonio region.

Click here to see the Master Plan Cost Analysis

A two-story 50,000 SF Conference Center is also planned for Phase I. The Conference Center will house such amenities as dining space, a faculty club, computer access, and swing office space. It is sited along the creek to maximize views.

Service access is provided through the parking garage for the new cancer research buildings. A service and maintenance yard is created for the Conference Center to include cafeteria and building service.

Click here to see the Phase One Cost Analysis

Formal and informal spaces will be created by the building groupings. Natural areas will be preserved along much of the stream. Courtyards will be created at entrances and areas between buildings.

Parking will be accommodated in eight five-level parking structures that serve specific building groups. Many of the structures will be integrated in a portion of the building groups in order to minimize site impact and reduce walking distances.

The stream and floodplain zone will be designated as a primary amenity on-site. Walking and jogging paths will provide opportunities for active recreation. The stream could be dammed to create a central site focus and passive recreation area.

To achieve the lowest life cycle cost, the energy plant should be built and brought on-line as a part of Phase I. The initial investment as a part of Phase I will yield reduced operating costs in future phases and will take maximum advantage of load diversity as the Master Plan develops.

The following preliminary load estimates are based on industry data published by the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The intent is to show the impact of the Master Plan evolution on the Energy Plant.

The Energy Plant should be designed for a phased expansion and addition of equipment to coincide with the Master Plan phasing. Account for maintaining the systems operation during times of expansion. To keep first costs low, economics justify a phased energy plant.

The preferred method of utility distribution in this area is an underground tunnel that links the individual buildings to the Energy Plant. The intent of the tunnel is to provide a utility corridor that is fully accessible by authorized personnel and a utility link that houses chilled water supply and return distribution piping, high pressure steam and steam condensate piping, and 5 psig natural gas piping.

The use of the tunnel for both fire alarm and security systems cable distribution should be considered to provide connectivity to a control station and between the buildings.

The diagram shows a phasing plan for the construction of the tunnel and piping that coincides with building phasing. It is desirable to eventually construct the tunnel and piping in a loop configuration to provide reliability and flexibility in distribution to the connected buildings.

Life Cycle Cost

Long-term operating benefits will play heavily on selecting systems that are cost effective for UTHSCSA. Systems, equipment, and materials should be designed that are low in maintenance and will provide reliable operation over time. Life cycle cost principles should be used to evaluate features that will reduce maintenance, improve reliability, and improve energy efficiency.

Energy Efficiency

Energy saving alternatives should be evaluated using 24 hours per day, 365 days per year energy modeling. The design should be optimized to select energy saving alternatives that are also life cycle cost effective.

The more stringent of the most current version of the following should be complied with: 1) State of Texas Energy Code, 2) Federal Energy Code 10CFR435, 3) ASHRAE 90.1. As a minimum, the following energy saving features should be implemented into the design:

• Select electric chillers with a design efficiency of at least 0.55 kilowatts per ton.

• Use adjustable frequency controllers (AFC) in conjunction with variable flow fans, pumps, and cooling tower cell fans.

• Incorporate enthalpy controlled economizer cycles for air systems that operate more than 16 hours per day.

• Provide premium efficiency motors for motors 3 HP and larger.

• Monitor and control systems using direct digital controls (DDC) in conjunction with energy management routines and reporting.

• Consider heat recovery in buildings that have large exhaust requirements.

• Consider the use of T5 high output fluorescent lamps with electronic ballasts.

Utility incentive programs being offered by the local utility companies should be investigated. The economic feasibility of thermal storage to reduce peak electrical demand should be evaluated. Other alternatives to reduce peak electrical demand, such as engine driven generators, engine driven chillers, or steam absorption chillers, should be studied. One alternative would be to provide a 5 KV emergency power distribution system to serve the site that is fed from multiple engine generators located in the Energy Plant. These same engine generators could also serve as peak shaving units, thus making the alternative more attractive economically.

Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal should be considered as a means of reducing utility consumption and to promote Green Building Design. Both the economic and practical feasibility of using renewable energy sources should be addressed.

Chilled Water

Chilled water should be generated using multiple water cooled chillers. The type, quantity, and capacity of the chillers should be determined based on a detailed study of daily, weekly, and monthly cooling load profiles. A redundant stand-by chiller equal in size to the largest chiller should be provided.

For water cooled chillers, an environmentally accepted refrigerant should be utilized that will not be phased out over the life of the Master Plan. For this reason, the preferred refrigerant is R-134A.

The chilled water system should be configured to consist of a primary/secondary hydraulic system design.

The chilled water system design should have the ability to efficiently operate over varying part load conditions. The chilled water system should respond to the impact that varying cooling loads has on the chilled water system supply and return temperature difference. A smaller temperature difference for the primary loop than the secondary loop should be used. Initially, a secondary distribution loop with a 16 degree F maximum temperature difference and a primary loop that is 4 to 6 degrees F less should be considered. Control strategies should be implemented that will maintain the design temperature differences even at part load.

Primary pumps are intended to circulate chilled water through the chillers in a primary loop that is located within the Energy Plant. This loop is intended to be a low head loop. The primary pumps and chillers should be configured in a headered arrangement to provide the flexibility of operating any pump with any chiller. One pump should be provided for each chiller.

Condenser Water

The condenser water system should be designed to be an open system that consists of a multiple cell crossflow or counterflow cooling tower with the quantity and capacity of the cells matching the chillers.

Each cooling tower cell fan shall be a 2 speed, gear driven, powered by a TEFC motor, that is located out of the tower discharge airstream.

A masonry shell tower is preferred due to lower maintenance, lower drift loss, lower noise generation, and a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The life cycle cost of a masonry shell cooling tower with both PVC fill and ceramic fill should be evaluated.

The cooling tower cells, chillers, and condenser water pumps should be configured in a headered arrangement to provide the flexibility of operating any piece of equipment in any arrangement.

Either vertical turbine or base-mounted, flexibly coupled, horizontal split case pumps should be used depending on the relationship of the tower to the Energy Plant and the Net Positive Suction Head available.

Gray water should be used for cooling tower make-up.

The condenser water system should include: sidestream filtration, an automatic chemical treatment system, metered make-up water, metered drains, and metered conductivity controlled blow down. Investigate environmentally friendly alternatives that reduce the pollution potential to the sanitary sewer system.

Steam

Steam of 125 psig should be generated using multiple forced draft dual fuel. Natural gas should be used as the primary fuel source and No. 2 fuel oil should serve as a back-up fuel source. The quantity and capacity of the boilers should be determined based on a detailed study of the daily, weekly, and monthly heating load profiles. A redundant/stand-by boiler equal in size to the largest boiler should be provided.

A five-day reserve of No. 2 fuel oil stored in multiple double-wall above-ground tanks located in the vicinity of the Energy Plant should be provided.

A boiler feedwater system with deaerators, water softeners, and reverse osmosis treatment of the make-up water should be provided.

Steam should be distributed throughout the site and into the buildings. At the entrance into each building, a two-stage pressure reducing station should be provided to reduce the steam for distribution within the building. Steam should be distributed within the building as needed for occupant use.

Steam condensate should be collected in each building and pumped back to the Energy Plant. Steam-powered condensate pumps should be used in lieu of electric-driven condensate pumps.

The steam and steam condensate usage should be sub-metered for each building.

Steam should be converted to low temperature hot water in each building for building heating purposes. Heating hot water within the building should be distributed to terminal units.

Natural Gas

The Energy Plant should be fed from the high pressure main with two separate feeds that connect to a single gas meter and pressure reducing valve station located right outside of the Energy Plant.

Originating in the Energy Plant, 5 psig natural gas should be distributed to the other buildings on site via the utility tunnel. The natural gas to each building should be sub-metered.

Domestic Water

An alternative to distributing water to the site via the Energy Plant should be considered. This alternative connects to the City service with two separate feeds to a meter station that serves the Energy Plant. From the Energy Plant, water should be distributed to the buildings via the utility tunnel similar to chilled water.

It is desirable to eventually create a fire protection loop around the buildings to serve fire hydrants and fire protection piping to individual buildings as the Master Plan evolves.

The water usage for each building should be sub-metered.

The need for booster pumps on an individual building basis should be evaluated.

Sanitary Sewer

The existing easements should be considered as possible paths for routing sanitary sewer from future buildings for connection to the municipal sewer system.

Polluted process waste from R and D activity should be kept separate from other building waste. If required, each building should be provided with a collection basin(s), neutralization chemicals, and monitoring of acid waste before discharging into the sanitary sewer system. If required, containment tanks and proper disposal of contaminated waste in lieu of connecting it to the sanitary sewer system should be considered.

Energy Management Control System

A site-wide Energy Management Control System (EMCS) should be provided that links the buildings together. A fiber optics communication link between the buildings should be provided as well.

The EMCS should have the following features:

• Distributed direct digital control (DDC).

• Multiple man-machine interface points.

• Programmable control.

• Effective management of the facility through report generation, histories, logs, and dynamic colographic displays.

• Optimization and energy management software such as time scheduling, demand limiting, optimum start-stop, and duty cycling.

• Capable of unattended operation with manual interaction.

• Capable of monitoring system's integrity.

• Capable of monitoring and reporting an alarm condition for each input point.

• Preventative Maintenance Software capable of scheduling and issuing work orders for maintenance of all mechanical equipment that is monitored.

The EMCS should be an extension of the existing Johnson Controls Metasys system.

Continuous growth north of North Campus on both sides of Floyd Curl Drive is shown in this plan. The amount of development that can be accommodated is double that which can be accommodated within the fifteen-year Master Plan. This equates to over 5 million GSF of building space that can be developed with the additional land, compared to 2.5 million GSF accommodated in the Master Plan. A series of courtyards, plazas, sidewalks, and paths provide pedestrian access to buildings and parking garages. Additional vehicular entrances exist from Floyd Curl Drive. Parking is accommodated by five-story structures behind the buildings to strengthen the separation between pedestrians and vehicles.

To this end, an entry loop from Wurzbach across from the Floyd Curl intersection is suggested. This would allow the campus to be centered around a greenway taking the place of Floyd Curl Drive. The new Medical Center Loop would access the site to the north and quickly disperse traffic into auto-courts or parking garages to separate pedestrian and vehicular traffic. This plan could incorporate small commercial businesses for student, faculty, and staff use on campus.

The Campus Expansion Concept on the previous page represents a realistic plan for North Campus's long-range growth. However, Floyd Curl Drive bisects the campus in this concept, creating pedestrian safety issues and limiting access. By comparison, the "Big Idea" explores optimal development for a contiguous campus while lessening vehicular traffic and providing stronger connections for pedestrians.