McCourtney Hall at the University of Notre Dame | South Bend, IN

McCourtney Hall at the University of Notre Dame | South Bend, IN
Completion Date: 2016

Project Overview

McCourtney Hall, formerly called the Multidisciplinary Research Building, is the first dedicated research building to be constructed at the University of Notre Dame’s East Campus Research Complex. The three-story building offers more than 200,000 square feet of space and about half is allocated to open lab and team spaces. Construction was completed on schedule in late 2016.

The building is made for collaborative research between faculty and students working in molecular science and engineering. Researchers will work in critical studies for clean water, sustainable resource and energy utilization, medical diagnostics, cancer therapies, and more.

Why CPP

The nature of the research happening at this groundbreaking facility means that the laboratories’ exhaust and air intakes needed to meet safety standards, both for building occupants and for its neighbors.

CPP’s air quality team designed and built a 1:240 scale model of the proposed building, including all major buildings and structures within 1,360 feet (415 meters). We instrumented the model with exhaust sources located at the building’s proposed exhaust locations, and with receptors located at sensitive locations on and near the building. We also included receptors at nearby buildings, including future dormitories and other buildings that have been planned but not yet built.

We then tested the model in our atmospheric boundary layer wind tunnel to assess air quality performance of the various relevant exhausts. The modular nature of our model, along with sophisticated data processing techniques, allowed us to evaluate a range of design options and operational scenarios. We tested various fans including variable air volume (VAV) options to find what would work best for the proposed design of the building.

Based on the results, CPP was able to confidently recommend a specific anemometer location, height, and model to measure the wind speed and wind direction. Data from the anemometer is used as an input to the Building Automation System for reduced exhaust volume flow rates under most wind conditions, saving the university both energy and money.

We were also able to recommend the best air intake configuration along the rooftop and in the courtyard to avoid air recirculation in the building or into other buildings on the campus. Furthermore, we tested the impacts of a diesel generator that can be used in emergencies and the impact of idling diesel vehicles on air quality.

Our recommendations go beyond the building code and deliver insights that make this building a functional and comfortable addition to Notre Dame’s campus.