Alvernia College needed to expand and update their science classrooms.  A new 31,500 square foot addition to the existing Bernardine Hall was completed in August of 2006.  The addition consists of ten (10) lab classrooms, preparation rooms, office space, and support space.   

The O’Pake Science Center Building has 33 low flow lab fume hoods which were designed to allow safe operation with less exhaust air resulting in lower operating costs.  The exhaust fans are induction type plume stacks which effectively dilute and expel unwanted exhaust away from the facility. 

Consolidated Engineers also designed the following features for the building:
Energy recovery system from the building exhaust to outdoor air make-up;
High efficient, quiet, frictionless water cooled chillers;
Gas condensing boilers to optimize efficiency;
Lab hood monitors;
Space pressurization controls;
Variable air volume controls;
Fully integrated energy management system;
Steam humidification;
Data distribution system;
Teacher station smart boards; and Lighting control.