The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
North Campus, Phases I-IV
Dallas, Texas
11 Buildings
6 to 14 Stories, over 2,000,000 Sq. Ft.
$300 M
1992, 1995, 1999, 2004

Architects:
F&S Partners, Inc. (Phase I)
Omniplan Architects, Inc. (Phase II and IV)
Page Southerland Page (Phase III and Thermal Plant)

Datum has served as engineer-of-record for all four phases of the Southwestern Medical Center North Campus.  The Owner's objective was clear from the outset: to design the best possible laboratory facilities to attract world-class researchers.  The structural design responded with several key decisions and innovations to make this goal a reality.  Using our framing study approach, the team agreed on a super-wide pan structural system with a 10' module to match the laboratory module.  Beams are offset from the grids to facilitate MEP penetrations within the lab walls.  The system meets the strict vibration criteria required for the research activities in the labs, while meeting the fire rating requirements and providing a modular, predictable layout for economy and future adaptability.  

At the perimeter, design architect John Lee envisioned a precast concrete facade of slender columns and shallow beams, creating a challenge to meet the vibration criteria.  Datum met this challenge with an innovative integration of the facade and the structure: the precast facade elements were used as forms for the cast-in-place structure, enabling the facade to contribute to the overall stiffness of the system.