2024 Southeast Best Projects
Merit Higher Ed/Research - Malachowsky Hall - UF Data Science and Information Technology Building
Photo by Matt Good
Malachowsky Hall – UF Data Science & Information Technology Building
Gainesville, Fla.
Award of Merit
Submitted by: Ajax Building Co.
Owner: University of Florida
Lead Design Firm: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
General Contractor: Ajax Building Co.
Civil Engineer: Crisdel Group
Structural Engineer: Walter P Moore
MEP Engineer: Affiliated Engineers
Architect: Walker Architects
Architectural Cladding: NRG Cladding
The University of Florida’s Malachowsky Hall Data Science and Information Technology building is an interdisciplinary hub that brings together the colleges of engineering, medicine and pharmacy. The seven-story building, which was constructed in the heart of the university’s main campus, consists of two semiautonomous interconnected building wings. It features more than 30 purpose-built laboratories, office spaces and auditorium spaces as well as common areas, a food service space, and a loading dock.
The 263,000-sq-ft concrete-framed structure’s foundation features more than 400 auger cast piles approximately 50 ft deep.
The exterior envelope consists mainly of 1,500 custom-designed, premanufactured metal panel units. The panels, which average 12 ft by 30 ft in size, were crafted off site and integrated with trapezoidal windows featuring electrochromic glass technology.
The interior includes high-end finishes including terrazzo flooring, intricate millwork and glass handrails. The ceiling design included nine different ceiling types, each with its own specific rough-in techniques, requirements and materials.
During construction of a multistory connector stair, crews had to also install ceiling fixtures in that area. The team built an engineered platform to allow work to be performed above the ceiling in many areas around the staircase.
The $120-million project was completed on time and below budget.
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