Iowa State University Agricultural & Biosystems Lab

The Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE) building completes the ISU Biorenewables Complex. The complex builds on the ISU goal to be a key resource supporting the State of Iowa effort to become a world leader in the development of biofuels and other products from renewable resources.

The facility allowed the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department to move from several locations around campus to one teaching facility. The project consisted of three different areas including: Laboratories, Offices/Classrooms and a Auditorium.

With over 20 miles of pipe, and installing multiple systems within a small ceiling plenum, Baker Group successfully provided and installed the HVAC and Plumbing systems.

• The office/classroom area is served by a large custom air handling unit.
• The lab area is served by three large custom air handling units. Each air handing unit included an energy recover wheel.
• The lab area has a dedicated fume hood exhaust system.
• The auditorium has a packaged air handling unit.
• In both the lab and office area, chilled beams were used to reduce the amount of conditioned air needed to cool the space.
• The building has perimeter radiant heat system and a separate heating water system for the VAV boxes.
• There were several processed chilled water systems.
• Campus steam and campus chilled water were used as the primary source for heating and cooling.
• Lab services included; domestic hot, domestic cold, compressed air, lab air, pure water (DI), natural gas and tempered water.