Roy and Diana Vagelos Education Center

Overview

We provided site/civil and geotechnical engineering design services to Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Gensler for a new medical education building at Columbia University in Manhattan.

Highlights

• As part of the design effort, Transportation coordinated approvals with the NYCDEP for sanitary and storm sewer connections, including a large detention system, and coordination with the NYCDOB was required for the Builder’s Pavement Plan.
• Transportation also provided geotechnical engineering oversight during the soil-boring program which confirmed the high rock profile for the area – a critical component during the design stage with regards to excavation and foundations.
• Due to site constraints and the proposed building location, the existing parking garage entrance that serves the neighboring high-rise housing for the Columbia University Medical Center has been demolished and relocated.
• The relocated tunnel entrance was designed using precast roof panels so that the garage could remain open during construction.
• As part of construction support services, Transportation has been working closely with the construction manager reviewing shop drawings and request for information (RFIs) submittals.
• Complications have risen during construction, but the design team has been able to come up with creative solutions in order to allow the contractor to stay on schedule.