Design Guidelines - Additional Considerations

Exterior Architectural Lighting

Illumination of new construction should be designed to comply with the recommended upgrades to the existing campus found in the UTSA Exterior Lighting Guidelines of February 1997. Key features include providing increased levels of lighting at entries, improving the quality and quantity of light along the paseos and arcades, creating the illusion of daylight in gallerias during evening hours, and continuing the tradition of handcrafted light fixtures with metal or ceramic enclosures found throughout campus. New installations should not include sodium vapor lamps, and over time, existing sodium vapor fixtures should be replaced.

Parking Structures

Several parking structures are shown on the master plan. They must not diminish the architectural quality of the campus, and as such, should be proportioned and located carefully. Vehicular traffic must be clearly separated from pedestrian traffic. Public access to the parking structures should be through elevator and stair towers that have an increased level of visual access for reasons of security and comfort. These stair and elevator towers should be located adjacent to major paths of public circulation.

Façades facing the paseos must have a function such as retail, academic use or administrative support. Unscreened parking on the roof is not permissible if the roof is visible from the campus. Public stairs, elevators and lobbies should match the architectural quality of the academic buildings. Building materials may include poured-in-place concrete or precast concrete. Natural stone may be used along the paseo elevations to the depth of the non-parking functions contained within, and should be applied in a more limited way throughout if the budget of the projects allows it.

Two new thermal energy plants will be located beneath parking structures. The parking structures will screen the plants from view, but will not prevent service access.

Specialized Buildings

Specialized buildings like galleries, auditoriums, theaters, museums, and athletic arenas are unique because of the civic nature of their functions. They will be used by students, faculty, staff, and the community at large. They are also unique because the shape of the building may be strongly influenced by its function. Because of their specialized use, these buildings may become more of an object than a normal building.

The location of a specialized building is also very important. Its function may require a symbolic and practical proximity to a courtyard. The building's form may be suitable as an architectural marker for the campus.

Specialized buildings may incorporate a more diverse set of materials. For example, sloped metal or tile roofs are acceptable and appropriate for such uses. Metal roofs add design interest and will help to convey the special function of the building. Metal wall systems may also be appropriate but should be used only after careful consideration is given to the other materials acceptable for enclosure as defined by these guidelines.

Residence Halls

New residence halls should be grouped as shown on the master plan to create a strong residential community for the campus. Their open spaces should be linked into the network of pedestrian pathways. Residence halls should be arranged to define courtyards and open spaces; buildings should have footprints like "I," "L," "T," "U," and "H."

Campus housing is the university’s opportunity to create a living environment which enhances learning, so university housing should be not be merely an adaptation of housing types typically found off-campus. Lobbies with vertical circulation should be located adjacent to shared communal spaces so that students are brought into places which encourage interaction. Major public areas such as dining halls and study rooms should be located at the ground level where they can be easily accessed. There, they will provide the opportunity to enhance the use of exterior spaces.

Housing developments should be designed with density in mind – space-efficient projects will save money, will maintain a maximum amount of open land, and will be scaled more appropriately than apartment complex-like projects. Buildings are to be generally three to five stories maximum height. The placement and arrangement of residence halls should enhance a sense of security by emphasizing the shared nature of open space. All paths and sidewalks that connect the residential areas to the main campus should be well illuminated and free of adjacent low-lying brush.

Material selections should be poured-in-place concrete, precast concrete, limestone, stucco, or a combination of these materials consistent with the vocabulary of materials on the academic buildings. Glazing should be clear at entries. Sunscreens or shading devices should be incorporated as appropriate to the architectural vocabulary. Materials must conform to the guidelines listed above. Parking should be provided at a ratio of one space for every two beds.

Bollards

Bollards should be constructed of either concrete-reinforced steel or of materials consistent with the vocabulary of materials on the academic buildings. Poured-in-place concrete and precast concrete are both acceptable. Limestone of the types specified in the “Material Palette” section is also acceptable in special situations, but it should have honed, saw cut, or antiqua finishes. As with buildings, a warm-colored mortar should be used to provide continuity with the stone. Mortar joints should have a concave tooled joint. Generally, bollards should be designed and constructed in ways which coordinate well with and do not detract from the appearance of nearby buildings.

Public Art Program

The University Art Program at UTSA provides a framework for a collaborative process between the University Art Program committee members, artists, and architects. In order to fully integrate art and architecture , each building project's art program should be initiated as early as possible. Selection of project artists must be timely in order for their collaborative art proposal to be adequately developed by the initiation of the construction documents phase. All mandated UTSA requirements and procedures must be met.

Bus Shelters

New bus shelters should match those recently installed. Shelters are constructed in modules and may be sited in a single, double or triple configuration.

Service Buildings and Structures

New service building facilities should be located in areas identified by the master plan. Buildings should be constructed of masonry, precast or tilt-wall concrete, or metal systems. Metal wall systems should be painted a medium to dark green to blend in with existing vegetation. Mechanical and electrical equipment yards must be screened from view. If chain link fences are necessary, they should be coated with a dark green vinyl cladding with vinyl inserts in order to blend in with the surrounding landscape.

UT System Guidelines

New buildings and additions, and renovations must comply with the provisions of space planning and equipment as defined by the UT System Guidelines.

Water Pollution Abatement Plans

Since the 1604 Campus is located on the recharge zone of the Edwards Underground Aquifer System, a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPP) must be prepared for every new facility. All new buildings and paved areas must have provisions for collecting and filtering storm water. Several different techniques may be used for this process including vegetative filter strips, holding/settling tanks, and active filtering devices.

Hazardous Materials

A hazardous materials survey has been completed for the campus. Readily accessible hazardous materials or materials presenting a danger to occupants or to users have been eliminated. Certain materials which do not pose a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of users or occupants and are generally inaccessible will be removed in conjunction with the demolition or rehabilitation of structures. The campus has developed a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan (SPCC) to address potential issues.

Hazardous Materials

New buildings and additions/renovations must meet or exceed the energy conservation requirements of the Texas Energy Code.

Energy Efficiency

New buildings and additions/renovations must meet or exceed the energy conservation requirements of the Texas Energy Code.

Accessibility

New buildings, additions, and renovations must comply with state and federal law and special provisions of the UT System Guidelines.

Accessible Ramps

New site construction must comply with state and federal law, as well as with applicable special provisions of the UT System Guidelines. Recent codes have mandated that curb ramps be demarcated by detectable warning systems. This typically consists of two components: a pattern of vertical relief (truncated domes on specified spacing) and visual contrast. Visual contrast should follow applicable codes. The contrast should be dark-on-light where possible, and should use shades of gray. For example, if the main sidewalk body is light-colored concrete, the contrasting color should be a dark charcoal.

Mechanical System Considerations

General

Mechanical system designs must incorporate features which create a maintenance-friendly environment, such as adequate access space on all sides of equipment. Designers should contact UTSA officials at the preliminary stages of design for updated guideline requirements.

Chillers

Refrigerants R134a or R123 should be used for any water-cooled chillers. Refrigerant R134a should be used for air-cooled chillers. Use of variable frequency drives is encouraged. Provide appropriate line reactors and phase failure relays. Minimum chiller efficiency shall be per the latest version of the State Energy Code. Chillers must be provided with marine water box piping connections.

Pumps

Horizontal frame-mounted centrifugal pumps must be used. Do not use vertical arrangements. Pumps less than 300 GPM must be either end-suction type or horizontal split case type. Pumps larger than 300 GPM must be horizontal split case type. Motors must be NEMA premium grade. In central plants, provide variable speed primary pumping systems with controlled bypass to maintain minimum flow through largest chiller. Equip primary pumps with variable frequency secondary pumps. Provide redundant primary pumps for the chilled water distribution system.

Cooling Towers

Cooling towers must be FRP or stainless steel. Use of variable frequency drives is encouraged. Provide appropriate line reactors and phase failure relays. Enclosures (Divisions 15 and 16) within the area of tower spray must be NEMA 4X.

Heat Exchangers

Shell and tube heat exchangers must be selected with a maximum of 5 PSIG steam pressure in the shell.

Air Handling Units

Cooling coils must have a maximum of 450-feet per minute velocity or 350 feet per minute on 100% outside air units. Casings must be a minimum of two inches thick with a solid interior galvanized liner. Casings must be designed to withstand ten inches of water column positive pressure.

Underground Piping

Piping placed underground should be placed in tunnels or, if tunnels cannot be provided, direct buried. Direct-buried hot and chilled water lines must be factory insulated with carrier pipe, urethane insulation, and HDPE or FRP shell pipe. Direct-buried steam and condensate pipe must be double walled, insulated, with interstitial air gap and air gap pressurization and pressure monitoring system. All direct-buried condensate piping will be Double-Extra Strong in all sizes. Provide cathodic protection of all direct buried piping systems.

Chemical Treatment

Chemical treatment must be designed into condenser water, chilled water, heating hot water, and steam condensate systems to protect piping and equipment. Remote monitoring of chemical treatment systems must be included in the design.

Flow Metering

Each new facility connected to a campus distribution system for steam, chilled water, or heating hot water should be equipped with consumption metering.

Controls

Each new facility must be provided with DDC controls based on the campus-wide Siemens Apogee system.

Thermal Utilities

Each new building must be designed to use chilled water for cooling and steam for heating, process, and production of domestic hot water.

Steam is distributed on campus at 125 PSIG. New buildings must be designed to operate with 100-125 PSIG and must be equipped with their own condensate return pumps.

Chilled water is distributed at 40 degrees. New buildings must be equipped with variable speed building pumps and must include a piped bypass to allow the pump to be bypassed when loop pressure is sufficient to meet building needs. All air handling units must be equipped with two way valves and shall be designed for a minimum 14-degree temperature differential across the coils.

New buildings shall not be equipped with blending stations that blend return and supply water to maintain return water temperature.

Electrical System Considerations

Designers should contact UTSA officials at the preliminary stages of design for updated guideline requirements.

To the extent reasonably possible, it is desirable to build extensions of the underground power and communications systems in physical loops in order to provide physically separated and redundant power and communications paths to a given building. This should be discussed with UTSA officials during the schematic design phase.

UTSA benefits from having as many campus loads as reasonably possible connected to the same CPS meter. For this reason, designs requiring a new pad-mounted transformer should extend one of the existing 13.8 kV power loops to a new 15 kV four-way switch that, in turn, will serve the new transformer. This should be discussed with UTSA officials during the schematic design phase. During schematic design, the designing engineer should evaluate whether or not the project will require the relocation or extension of underground power and/or communication ducts. Even if the project will not interfere with existing ducts, it may be economically advantageous for UTSA officials if the project design includes costs associated with relocating those ducts within or in close proximity to the project if, in any event, these ducts eventually must be relocated for future projects. This should be discussed with UTSA officials during the schematic design phase.

Before selecting which 13.8 kV loop to use for service to new loads, the designing engineer should evaluate the existing loading on the loop to verify that the resultant loading will not prevent all of the existing and new loads from being served by either of the two loop vacuum-break circuit breakers (located at the UTSA substation). The goal is to allow all buildings on a given loop to continue full and indefinite operation from one circuit breaker while the other circuit breaker is being replaced or maintained. This should be discussed with UTSA officials during the schematic design phase. As new loads are added to an existing 13.8 kV loop (whether or not such added loads require a new service), in order to help balance the loads the designing engineer must evaluate the effects that the new loads have on the loop and determine where the normally open switch in the loop should be located. This should be discussed with UTSA officials during the schematic design phase.

The designing engineer should discuss extension of underground and/or tunnel communication ducts with designated personnel in Information Technology and Telephone Systems. Among other topics, the specific number and size of conduits that will be extended to allow service to the new and future (downstream) buildings will be discussed. This should be discussed with UTSA officials during the schematic design phase.

For each new building the designing engineer must provide service entrance power equipment in a dedicated and properly illuminated and ventilated electrical room. The service equipment must be as follows:

• Double-ended, rear-accessible unit substation in NEMA 1 enclosures.
• All 13.8 kV and 480 V busses must be copper.
• Each end of the substation must be provided with 13.8 kV metal-enclosed load interrupter switches arranged as one duplex pair (IN switch and OUT switch, suitable for loop feed) and one fusible switch for service to one of the two substation transformers. Transformer secondaries must be bussed (not cabled) to the primary of each transformer. IN and OUT switches must be nonfusible and rated for 13.8 kV, 600 amps. The transformer service switch must be rated for 13.8 kV and 200 amps and provided with boric acid type fuses sized appropriately for each transformer.
• Transformers must be silicon-filled, 13.8 kV - 480Y/277 V. Each transformer should be rated for 125% of the NEC-calculated building load to allow for some future building growth and to allow either transformer to carry the entire building load.
• The 480-volt distribution section must be low voltage draw-out switchgear and must have a main-tie-main arrangement. Main and tie devices must be Kirk key interlocked to prevent all three from being closed simultaneously.
• All 480-volt main circuit breakers, tie breakers, and distribution breakers must be 100% duty rated drawout power air circuit breakers ("DS" style). Main and tie breakers must have solid-state LT, ST, IT, and GF trip functions. Main breakers must be provided with an undervoltage trip function. Distribution breakers must have LT, ST, and IT trip functions.
• There must be a digital power monitor for each MCB. Meters must be equal to Square D PowerLogic. Coordinate communication links with UTSA.
• Substations must be provided with a trolley hoist for lifting drawout breakers.
• Substations must be labeled with a mimic bus.
• Substations must have vertical sections for active 480-volt breakers plus additional installed vertical sections (on either side of the tie breaker) as required for 50% future drawout sections.
• Substations must be installed on 3-1/2" high concrete housekeeping pads.

Individual motor starters, whether a part of a motor control center of self-contained units, must employ solid-state overload relays having field-adjustable current trip, phase loss protection, and phase unbalance protection. Overload relays must be ambient-insensitive and self-powered.

For each new building the designing engineer must provide a main communications equipment room (MC equipment room) linked to the communications manhole system via 4-inch conduits. The quantity of service entry communication conduits will vary with the building size, however, the quantity should generally never be fewer than eight. The requirements for communications equipment and distribution should be discussed with UTSA officials during the schematic design phase.

Plumbing System Considerations

Designers should contact UTSA officials at the preliminary stages of design for updated guideline requirements.

Site Distribution

Water main distribution loops must be extended across campus from SAWS municipal water mains in adjacent streets to provide redundant water supply and more stable pressure delivery to smaller branch piping serving individual complexes and buildings. Additional connections to SAWS municipal mains or pressure booster pumps (at building or system level as appropriate) must be provided to ensure sufficient pressure as additional demands are placed on campus water mains. Gas piping distribution should be extended to each building individually from CPS gas mains in area. Underground utilities (such as natural gas, water, sewer, etc.) must be provided with warning/tracing tapes. Provide main shut-off valves for water and natural gas utilities entering a building.

Pumps

When storm and sanitary sewer ejector pumps are required, redundant pumps must be provided.

Flow Metering

Each new facility should be equipped with consumption metering for natural gas and domestic water.

Security Considerations

Designers should contact UTSA officials at the preliminary stages of design for updated guideline requirements. Additional detail can be found in the appendix of the 2004 update of the UTSA 1604 Campus master plan.

Roadways and Traffic

Roadways, except for properly controlled service roads, should not provide any direct or straight access to the university buildings. Indirect access decreases the potential for a vehicle to crash into the buildings, whether intentionally or accidentally. Adjacent hardscape should also provide deterrents and impediments to vehicle access to building exteriors such as fixed bollards, concrete planters, decorative concrete fixtures, or elevation changes. Major roadways should lead to minor roadways which should lead to parking areas. Drop-off areas adjacent to building entrances should be avoided if possible. Where this cannot be done, drop-off areas should be set back from the building face. To provide effective monitoring and management of the traffic in and around the campus, traffic surveillance cameras should be placed to view all major roadways and intersections.

Pedestrians

Pedestrian pathways should be open, providing a clear view for an extended distance. Landscaping should be planned to provide unobstructed views both initially and when the landscaping matures. Shrubs should be kept to below 18 inches in height, and trees should be trimmed up to a minimum of 72 inches above grade to provide a clear line of sight underneath the tree's foliage. Trees should also be spaced sufficiently to allow the site lighting to illuminate the pathway. The current practice of providing emergency assistance stations should be continued along the paseos and major pedestrian paths. Emergency assistance stations should be located near all mass transit stops and pedestrian entrance areas (within the campus property) and should also include video surveillance of these areas. Spacing of the emergency assistance stations should be within 100 feet of the site entry and no more than every 500 feet apart along the paseos.

Service Drives

The ability to restrict and control vehicular access to the service drives underneath the buildings is paramount to achieving any meaningful measure of protection. Closing these drives except to UTSA vehicles is impractical given the cost to retrofit the buildings with surface-accessible service areas. Alternately, the service drives should be strictly controlled and permission to use these drives should be granted to only those persons and companies that have undergone sufficient vetting. The drives should be equipped with retractable, crash resistant vehicle barriers operated by the campus access control system, with an override control from the DCC and video surveillance cameras. Access to unknown individuals or companies should be denied until such time as the individual or company is vetted.

Parking

Parking lots should be open and should provide a clear field of view. Signage should be provided which clearly indicates any usage restrictions. Signage should also provide wayfinding assistance to the intended building or activity area.

In order to provide an effective measure of protection for garage patrons, stairwells and elevator lobbies of parking structures should be open to the exterior, providing unobstructed sight from the surrounding grade level areas. Open stairwells and elevator lobbies reduce the likelihood of criminal activity and vagrants sleeping in the stairwells. Pedestrian entries should be located adjacent to and viewable from the paseos or other activity areas if at all possible. Entrances and exits should not be located along dark roadways or unpopulated areas.

Setbacks and Building Control

In order to achieve any blast mitigation benefits, new buildings should be designed with a setback from the closest vehicle approach. A 100-foot setback is optimal, but this may not be possible in all instances. Where achieving the setback is impractical or impossible, alternate means of achieving the desired level of mitigation should be explored. Critical functions should be moved to a safer location within the building or to another, more easily secured building.

As a general rule, every major building entrance should be equipped with access control devices for 24x7 building or after-hours control depending on the function of the building. Secondary entrances and emergency exits should be equipped with monitoring devices to alert the police department of unauthorized entry attempts or improper exiting from the building. Special function buildings or research facilities will require an enhanced application of access control devices based on their specific function.

Physical Barriers

The service drives underneath the academic buildings should be controlled with operable barriers. The operable barriers may be barrier gates or operable bollard arrays. Operable bollard arrays are preferable in order to prevent unauthorized vehicles from accessing the service drives and driving underneath the buildings. In addition to the bollard arrays, additional barrier devices such as fixed bollards will be required to provide a continuous barrier from structure to structure.

Landscape elements should provide no areas of concealment in or around building entrances, pedestrian walkways or parking lot perimeters. Shrubs and similar ground cover should be limited to a maximum of 18 inches in height around building entrances, pedestrian walkways or parking lot perimeters. Trees should be trimmed up to a minimum of 72 inches above grade to provide a clear view underneath the foliage. Trees and other tall plants should be spaced sufficiently to allow both natural light and artificial light to penetrate the foliage achieving the recommended lighting levels. Screening landscaping should be avoided in the vicinity of building entrances, pedestrian walkways or parking lot perimeters.

Where a natural barrier is desired to enhance the security around a building or other area, certain guidelines should be followed. Landscaping schemes may be used to define traffic patterns and security zones, while providing maximum visibility across the site. Landscaping design should offer a substantial deterrent effect against vehicular penetration., but must not provide convenient places to hide and should allow for unobstructed surveillance from the building outward. A clear area around each building of at least five feet is advisable to discourage access while facilitating easy surveillance by the security department.

Exterior Lighting

The appropriate use of lighting will enhance security and will help foster a safe and secure environment. Appropriate lighting is important for many reasons including deterring criminal activity; discouraging unwanted visitors; assisting security personnel in their ability to view, identify and respond to security situations; and promoting a sense of safety and security in tenants and visitors. Metal halide lighting is recommended as it provides neutral color balance.

There are three different considerations that apply to site lighting:

• Closed Circuit Television - Lighting required for optimal performance of standard color CCTV cameras is in the one-foot candle range.
• Safety - Lighting for safety purposes as defined by the Illuminating Engineers Society of North America (IESNA) take into account only the levels needed to prevent accidents and to accommodate normal facility use.
• Security - There are no current standards for protective or security lighting.

The following light levels are a compilation of IESNA recommendations which are appropriate, given the nature of the site. The lighting levels should be considered to represent baseline requirements for security purposes. Minimum luminance values are as shown in the table.

*Lighting levels at the exterior of building entrances should maintain the same illumination level as the interior lobby in order to avoid light reflection from the inside. If the exterior is darker than the inside, reflection will occur on the interior of the glass.

HVAC Intakes

It is recommended that the air intakes for all buildings be located on the roof or above 30 feet above grade in order to reduce contamination vulnerability. If outside air enters the system from the roof, it is relatively well protected from intentional external contamination. The use of intake cover grilles will further reduce the chance of foreign objects contaminating the system.