University of California, UCLA Medical Center, Edie and Lew Wasserman Building, Los Angeles, CA

Syska Hennessy Group was contracted to provide engineering services for a 100,000-sf eye research building. The new building is an addition to UCLA’s two existing facilities dedicated to vision and eye care. It allows UCLA to advance their knowledge of vision science in their quest to prevent blindness through the eradication of eye disease.

The new building houses an eye clinic (3 lower floors) with glaucoma and cataract departments as well as a urology department, neurology department and a teaching operating room for the School of Medicine (3 upper floors). There is 6 operating rooms and procedure rooms fitted with lasers.

The mechanical systems include active chilled beam for the 5 (above-grade) floors and a radiant floor heating and cooling system dedicated to the lobby/waiting areas. Air conditioning systems are 100% outside air with heat recovery. Operating rooms serve by a conventional system in compliance with OSHPD regulations. The owner committed to achieving a 20% energy reduction over Title 24 requirements.

Syska won the Engineering Excellence award from the Los Angeles Business Council for significantly enhancing an urban development through good engineering.