As a Subconsultant to Cooper Roberts Simonsen Architects, Psomas provided the civil engineering design and land surveying for this state-of-the-art facility at the University of Utah. Psomas prepared the topographic survey and full civil working drawings for the proposed site improvements. This included the horizontal control plan, grading and drainage plan, and utility plan. Psomas also coordinated with the landscape architect regarding the location and requirements of the landscape areas and irrigation system.
Psomas provided assistance to the architect in document preparation for the building’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification, a nationally recognized standard for design and construction of sustainable architectural projects. The building is serving as the University’s icon for “Green building design” for its various sustainable designs, efficeient systems, and innovative designs to mention a few.
In order to achieve maximum credit for a sustainable design, the employed stormwater management system surrounding the building provides complete capture and treatment of all stormwater runoff from storm 2 year storm events and smaller. For example, a series of bio swales are proposed to capture runoff from the building’s roof drains. A bio swale typically is used to capture and purify runoff through means of infiltration.
Furthermore, a portion of the building’s hardscape is proposed to be pervious pavement. Pervious paving allows stormwater runoff to flow directly through the paving system and down to a layer of coarse gravel where it will remain until it has infiltrated back into the groundwater system. Pervious paving also is another Best Management Practice (BMP) like the bio-swale that cleans runoff through infiltration.
In addition to the bio-swale and pervious pavement, the Sutton Building is surrounded by several other proposed BMPs that promote stormwater quality and quantity control and therefore a more sustainable design