University of Westminster LS Skaggs Center for Integrated Wellness
Salt Lake City
Higher Education/Research
Sent by: Jacobsen construction
Region: ENR Intermontanya
Owner: University of Westminster
Principal design firm and structural engineer: VCBO architecture
General contractor: Jacobsen construction
Civil Engineer: McNeil Engineering
MEP Engineer: Electric salmon
With 145 solar panels on the roof, optimized daylighting and a thoughtful orientation of the interior spaces, this 11,200 square meter all-electric wellness center requires no power from the grid. A student medical clinic, counseling center, wellness studio, demonstration kitchen, courtyard and offices are designed to create a clean positive energy facility.
Jacobsen helped VCBO bring together the green elements of the project, says Justin Giles, the construction company’s project manager. Natural materials such as wood, brick, and zinc are combined with the building’s solid wood elements, including solid wood beams and columns, as well as cross-laminated wood decks and roof panels, to elevate the building’s overall sustainability.
These elements also help it fit seamlessly into the surrounding neighborhood, which includes tree-lined streets and aesthetic design guidelines. “As solid wood becomes more common, we’ve brought many of our customers into the building to show the material and they love it,” adds Giles.
Photo courtesy of Jacobsen Construction and Cody Brown
The PV system needed to be fully operational for the building’s grand opening, and the project team worked 28 consecutive hours to bring it online, allowing for full activation 30 minutes before the ribbon cutting. “It all came together, and that was our way of following through on our commitment,” says Giles.
The commitment to safety was also key to the success of the project. When a team member suffered a heart attack, an electrical apprentice recalled from his safety orientation the location of an AED device on site. As that worker ran to retrieve the defibrillator, a supervisor, who was a volunteer firefighter, began CPR. Together, their quick thinking saved the man’s life. Giles says the experience reinforced “that we are a team and we look out for each other.”
“It was a unique project,” he adds. “There were so many things that made it fun to build, from the teamwork and the wood to the solar panels and the customer.”
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