FIU | BT-919 College of Engineering
Florida International University | BT-919 College of Engineering | Miami, FL
Located on the northeast corner of Florida International University’s main campus, the new six‑story, 120,700‑sq‑ft College of Engineering building is striving to achieve LEED Gold certification. Its cantilevered massing and glass curtain wall enclose spaces dedicated to engineering education—combining classrooms, research laboratories, an innovation hub and areas for collaboration.
Project Details
Bridging the Future of Engineering & Healthcare
On the ground floor, visitors arrive through an outdoor plaza and lobby that sit adjacent to building support systems and laboratory space. The second level contains research and interview rooms, administrative offices and more classrooms. The third and fourth floors continue the academic mix with additional classrooms, shared spaces, faculty and administrative offices, mechanical and electrical rooms, further labs and an airy atrium that encourages interaction. The two uppermost floors are reserved for future program growth.
As the first phase of a planned interdisciplinary precinct, this building lays the groundwork for bridging engineering and the university’s forthcoming medical expansions, helping to spur innovations that will benefit both healthcare and technology.
Self-Perform Work for Quality Control
The DPR self-perform drywall & ceiling team adopted a design-build approach for certain features of the drywall and ceiling scopes and created mockups of ceiling specific details to ensure alignment of drywall and ACT ceilings on Level 4 and additional areas. This approach allowed to team to think innovatively and creatively to meet and surpass design expectations.
Another prominent drywall feature was the drywall finish wrapping the concrete monumental stairs—a defining element of the project. The drywall finishes perfectly aligned with the architect’s design intent, creating a sleek modern aesthetic, a visually impactful statement for incoming students and faculty. The architect recognized our dedication, expressing gratitude with how we brought their vision to life with accuracy and finesse.
DPR's commitment to quality extended beyond drywall. For the exposed mechanical ductwork, the team took extra care to ensure a polished appearance by meticulously taping the ducts to achieve a consistent, clean application of sealant—an enhancement beyond the plans and specifications. This extra step was not mandated, but DPR's dedication to quality and understanding of the project’s visual impact drove this added enhancement.
MEP Systems
This project involved the complete mechanical and electrical installation for a newly constructed facility, focusing on achieving high energy efficiency, superior indoor air quality and robust life safety systems.
Mechanical Systems
The new mechanical infrastructure was designed around two Energy Recovery Air Handling Units (ERAHUs) to efficiently condition all incoming fresh air. These units capture energy from the exhaust air stream, significantly lowering the building's overall heating and cooling loads. A separate Dedicated Outside Air System (DOAS) was installed to precisely manage ventilation and dehumidification, ensuring optimal indoor comfort. For occupant safety, a specialized smoke evacuation system was engineered and integrated into the design of the atrium area, providing emergency smoke control.
Electrical & Power Systems
The electrical scope included installing all primary power distribution and a new, dedicated emergency power system. This critical system, complete with a generator, was specified to provide immediate, reliable backup power for all life safety components (including the smoke evacuation system), essential mechanical equipment, and required emergency lighting, ensuring building functionality during utility outages.
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