CREJ

64 / BUILDING DIALOGUE / March 2022 / CSU Spur / Hadley Stolte, AIA, NCARB Project manager and lead design architect, Clark & Enersen Vida – Animal and Human Health Designed by Clark & Enersen, Vida officially opened its doors in January, which also marked the grand opening of the Colorado State University Spur campus. The building is unique in that it highlights the connection between an- imal and human health, with an emphasis on primary care for horses and smaller companion animals. With numerous programs and activities to experience, Vida gives members of the general public opportunities to see human-centric therapy sessions, animal surgeries and equine rehabilita- tion exercises in person. The facility was specifically de- signed with spaces that can be changed over time to meet the needs of the Spur campus and Vida users. The design of Vida directly correlates with the philoso- phy behind Vida and CSU Spur as a whole. It is open to the public and invites visitors to immerse themselves in the experience. The abundant use of glass contributes to the feeling of openness and creates a seamless transition be- tween indoor and outdoor spaces. It also enhances sight- lines and aids in wayfinding, visually pulling visitors from one exhibit or space to the next as they move through the facility. Special attention was given to an informal proces- sion through the public areas of the building that would provide views into spaces where human and ani- mal health care activities are occur- ring. A variety of spaces from exam and surgery to therapeutic riding and equine rehabilitation are available for public view, giving visitors a firsthand experience of animal and human health as well as the beneficial outcomes they provide. Vida also is tied directly to the equine-assisted services programs housed in the Temple Grandin Equine Center on CSU’s Fort Collins campus, which our team also designed. Both facilities now offer EAS in the program areas of physical, occu- pational and speech therapy; mental health counseling; adaptive horsemanship and therapeutic riding; and equine-facilitated learning. Equine health specialists at Vida also provide medical and rehabilitation services on- site, and a donor-subsidized veterinary hospital features ibility. The building and site can accommodate large and small groups 365 days a year. While many elements of the Hydro building are specific in terms of their programming, open space and building access remain flexible for future evolution and use. Connections in, around and through the Hydro building are essential to engaging visitors across Bettie Cram Drive and into the south end of the National Western Campus, where the CSU Hydro and Terra buildings reside. TheHydro building’s backyard is one of the few land- scaped open spaces available to the public regularly. Visi- tors can always access the backyard fromBettie CramDrive and through the activated alley on National Western Drive. Additionally, on the ground floor, the entry lobby has a pub- lic connection to the backyard and a large open stair up to the bridge across National Western Drive. The CSU Hydro building was designed to invite visitors into the backyard so they can visit examples of One Water strategies. There is easy access into the backyard from Bettie Cram and on National Western Drive. Various educational exhibits will be provided inside the Hydro building, offering views into professional, scientific research laboratories. Sustainability is a key feature for all three CSU build- ings at National Western. The Hydro building and Terra building, connected via a bridge over National Western Drive, share an energy-efficient mechanical system that will connect to the National Western Center’s Campus Utility Plant. Hydro houses all the roof-mounted sys- tems, including the chiller plant and two air-handling units. By sharing a mechanical system, costs were saved, future maintenance will be concentrated, and natural re- sources were reduced. The combined system saves 22% more energy than an equivalent building that meets the current energy code. Furthermore, the building saves 22% more electricity than an equivalent building of the same size and complexity. The exterior lighting will meet dark sky recommendation and LEED requirements while meeting life-safety requirements and enhancing the building, site and user experience with minimal en- ergy impact. Additionally, the Hydro building uses 35% less water than a similar building design to the current building code (baseline model). Reusing grey water from sinks and showers and using efficient fixtures such as 0.125 GPF urinals and 1.1 GPF water closets have reduced water demand by 35% from baseline. The old McConnell Weldens building provides the CSU Hydro proj- ect an opportunity to save a piece of Colorado history.