University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
State-of-the-Art Interdisciplinary Research & Care Facility
Located in the heart of Western New York’s renowned bio-sciences corridor, this new interdisciplinary care facility reconnects one of the country’s oldest medical schools with the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.
The new building sits on top of the active Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) train station at University at Buffalo’s Downtown Campus, anchoring a lively, urban mixed-use district on the medical campus and bringing nearly 2,000 students, faculty and staff downtown.
Azar Design Co collaborated with HOK, bringing architecture, engineering and surveying services that ensured vision, accessibility and functionality were aligned to deliver the region’s top healthcare destination.
In addition to other design functions and on-site supervision, our team was directly responsible for the interface of the structure and construction activities on the active trainway that ran through the building with the existing electrical substation incorporated into the envelope. The transit-oriented hub fosters connection and mobility that encourages collaboration between students, faculty, biomedical researchers and clinicians.
For the design and construction components of the project, Azar’s architectural services were twofold. One team prepared a condition report on the existing NFTA train station, reviewed project-related planning documents in preparation for community outreach meetings, and conducted a zoning review and report. Architectural technicians prepared the 3D models for coordination and use with the entire project team. Azar’s Project Managers participated in meetings with the NFTA and community entities.
Another team worked closely with HOK as embedded members performing architectural design and detailing of several spaces, also providing submittal review, BIM model coordination and maintenance, structural coordination, 3D MEP clash detection and setting up live digital submittal and RFI review for use with all consultants. Our team later transitioned that embedded team as full-time on-site architectural representatives performing Construction Administration.
Azar’s civil engineering team compiled existing utility information, determined proposed flows and design loads for utility infrastructure, and determined whether sufficient capacity existed within the current sanitary sewer and water systems to support the needs of a new 600,000+ sf building.
Our surveying team utilized 3D laser imaging technology to verify the exterior and interior construction of the Allen-Hospital Station building. This allowed for accurate building models and the ability to compare existing conditions to the record contract documents. Using 3D scan information, Azar staff constructed a 3D model of the existing subway station incorporated into the final design.
Sampling and testing of asbestos and hazardous materials by Azar’s environmental scientists resulted in HazMat abatement during construction.