Stanley Consultants provided architectural and engineering services for completion of the new Hydrological Instrumentation Facility (HIF) on the University of Alabama's Tuscaloosa campus. The only one of its kind in the United States, and one of only three facilities of its kind in the world, the HIF serves as the heart of the water sensor monitoring network that watches over our priceless waterways across the United States. This facility is integral to the USGS's mission to provide reliable scientific data about our nation's water resources. The new facility will support world-class hydrological equipment for near real-time water monitoring and research. The two-story 95,000 square feet facility includes hydraulics and water quality labs, field testing facilities, environmental chambers, sensor innovation space and training labs, warehouse space, an auditorium, tornado shelter space and administrative areas. Stanley provided services that spanned pre-design through construction administration, including specialized laboratory programming/planning and design, value engineering, cost estimating and bid phase services.
The facility represents a commitment to scientific excellence and operational reliability, with the data derived from these instruments and network used by scientists, policymakers, and emergency managers to make informed decisions that protect lives, property and natural resources.
During major flood events, real-time data from USGS monitoring stations, supported by HIF's instruments, are used to inform emergency response and evacuation plans. Similarly, during periods of drought, this data helps manage water resources to ensure supply for critical needs while collecting long-term data to help understand and anticipate future water levels. The HIF has an indispensable role in safeguarding our environment and public safety.
The pre-design phase included a value engineering study for this $44.2 million project. One of the major challenges during the value engineering study was to bring the project back into budget alignment after aesthetic requirements were expanded. Our subject matter experts were able to creatively configure the most efficient use of spaces to enhance training opportunities without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. The accepted value engineering proposals resulted in a savings of $9.8 million that was re-allocated toward other needs in the building. This value engineering study succeeded in bringing the project into budget and allowed USGS to avoid sacrificing aesthetic appeal of their state-of-the-art training facilities.
In addition to providing value engineering and full building design, Stanley Consultants led this project in meeting the Department of Interior policy on sustainability, along with all local and state requirements for sustainable buildings. Stanley Consultants provided guidance for energy-efficient systems such as renewable energy strategies, daylighting, MEP systems alternatives, sustainable site strategies for stormwater management and aesthetic considerations related to sustainability in its designs.
The Stanley design team incorporated classic architectural elements that have shaped the University of Alabama’s campus; materials such as red brick, cast stone cornices and precast concrete columns were used. In addition, the university required that all mechanical and electrical equipment items around the buildings be screened architecturally to minimize their visual impact on the campus. This was particularly challenging for the design team, given that the building houses a working laboratory with substantial equipment. However, our team rose to the challenge by keeping the angle of solar panels low and concealing all mechanical and laboratory equipment.
Today, this facility is a testament to the integration of scientific advancements with classic architectural design, showcasing Stanley Consultants’ commitment to sustainable engineering, innovative problem-solving and preserving the historical integrity of the University of Alabama’s campus. It reflects the successful collaboration between the U.S. Geological Survey's mission and Stanley Consultants' expertise in creating state-of-the-art research environments while maintaining aesthetic and functional harmony with the surroundings.
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9.8
Million Dollars Saved
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44.2
Million Dollar Construction
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85
Million Dollar Construction Including Equipment
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1
Of Its Kind In The United States
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1 of 3
In The World